Three Dimensions of Patent Infringement: Liability for Creation and Distribution of CAD Files

TY - JOUR

T1 - Three Dimensions of Patent Infringement: Liability for Creation and Distribution of CAD Files

AU - Liddicoat, Johnathon

AU - Nielsen, Jane L

AU - Nicol, Dianne

PY - 2016/6/11

Y1 - 2016/6/11

N2 - 3D printing is contributing to a global trend toward customization, user innovation and democratisation of design and manufacture. A key element of 3D printing is that computer aided design (‘CAD’) files are used to instruct printers to create physical 3D products. This article explores patent liability for creators of CAD files that provide directions for the creation of potentially infringing products. This analysis compares the Australian position to that in the US and UK. One US commentator has suggested that 3D printing will leave patentees helpless to combat widespread infringement. By examining direct and indirect infringement case law this paper finds that Australian law creates relatively clear liability for the creation and distribution of CAD files.

AB - 3D printing is contributing to a global trend toward customization, user innovation and democratisation of design and manufacture. A key element of 3D printing is that computer aided design (‘CAD’) files are used to instruct printers to create physical 3D products. This article explores patent liability for creators of CAD files that provide directions for the creation of potentially infringing products. This analysis compares the Australian position to that in the US and UK. One US commentator has suggested that 3D printing will leave patentees helpless to combat widespread infringement. By examining direct and indirect infringement case law this paper finds that Australian law creates relatively clear liability for the creation and distribution of CAD files.

KW - 3d printing

KW - patent law

KW - patent infringement

M3 - Article

JO - Australian Intellectual Property Journal, 2016

JF - Australian Intellectual Property Journal, 2016

ER -