What the Library of Congress Decided This Week About 3D Printing

[Commentary] What does 3D printing have to do with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act? In Nov 2014, Public Knowledge petitioned the Copyright Office for a number of exemptions to the prohibition against circumventing technological protection measures (i.e. “digital locks”) protecting copyrighted works under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Fortunately, the Library of Congress, at the recommendation of the Copyright Office, granted our request, permitting users to use replacement materials that are not authorized by the printer’s manufacturer without running afoul of copyright law. However, that we even needed to seek permission for something so simple and beyond the purpose of copyright law highlights why Public Knowledge supports efforts to reform Section 1201 and end the absurdity of needing exemptions like this one. Nevertheless, this is a win for competition, tinkerers, and consumers, at least in principle. Unfortunately, the win comes with significant caveats.