Digitising Patent Law: Challenges from 3D Printing Technologies

摘要

Recent advances in 3D printing (3DP) techniques have led to more widespread use of the technology, while raising concerns among IP right holders. Currently, many questions remain open and it is not clear how the IP ecosystem will react to these technological changes. Here, we focus on the challenges posed to traditional patent law by 3DP. The starting point is a recent US CAFC decision on patents and 3DP. Subsequently, we turn the discussion to Europe to shed light on those patent law doctrines that are likely to be most affected by the "digitisation of objects" phenomenon represented by 3DP.