DRM for 3d printers....

[Ed Hagopian]

Excuse me for a moment. (Bwwaahahahahhahahahahahhahahhaha snort tear) anyway...
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/PtRbr_itCBY/myhrvold-patents-3d-printing-d.html

[Have Blue]

Unh? (reads article, then proceeds to roll around in hysterics on the
floor next to Ed)

Okay, there are only 3 base claims in the patent:

1. A method for secure manufacturing to control object production
rights, the method comprising: identifying at least one object data file
configured to produce an object by a manufacturing machine; confirming
that an authorization code is associated with the object data file, the
authorization code configured to be received by the manufacturing
machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the authorization
code; and enabling the manufacturing machine to interface with the
object data file only if the authorization code meets one or more
predetermined conditions, wherein the manufacturing machine is
configured for at least one or more of additive manufacturing,
subtractive manufacturing, extrusion manufacturing, melting
manufacturing, solidification manufacturing, ejection manufacturing, die
casting, or a stamping process.

26. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer
readable medium configured to perform one or more acts for performing
secure manufacturing, the one or more acts comprising: one or more
instructions for identifying at least one object data file configured to
produce an object by a manufacturing machine; one or more instructions
for confirming that an authorization code is associated with the object
data file, the authorization code configured to be received by the
manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the
authorization code; one or more instructions for enabling the
manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if the
authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions, wherein
the manufacturing machine is configured for at least one or more of
additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, extrusion
manufacturing, melting manufacturing, solidification manufacturing,
ejection manufacturing, die casting, or a stamping process.

42. A manufacturing control system for secure manufacturing comprising:
a processor; a data store coupled to the processor, the data store
configured to contain authorization guideline data including one or more
authorization codes, the data store adapted for identifying at least one
object data file configured to produce an object by a manufacturing
machine; a confirmation module coupled to the processor, the
confirmation module configured to confirm that an authorization code is
associated with the object data file, the authorization code configured
to be received by the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine
adapted to receive the authorization code; and an authorization module
coupled to the processor, the authorization module configured to enable
the manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if
the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions,
wherein the manufacturing machine is configured for at least one or more
of additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, extrusion
manufacturing, melting manufacturing, solidification manufacturing,
ejection manufacturing, die casting, or a stamping process.

All 3 of these tie an 'authorization code' to the file itself, meaning
that they couldn't be plain old STL files. In short, this calls for the
creation of an entirely new, DRM-able file format that can be applied to
all of the manufacturing types enumerated in the claims. Sounds to be
much along the lines of Abe Reichental's call for the 3D printing
industry to begin restricting the machines so that they can only print
approved files, since the hoi polloi can't be trusted with the
technology:
http://www.tctmagazine.com/blogs/guest-column/do-good-with-3d-printing

[Ed Hagopian]

If you are a 3d printer manufacturer why would you ever agree to this on your equipment... If you are a consumer why would you buy one. T
And the biggest thing that makes this simply laughable is that the technology for 3d printing is now commodity. Couple smooth rods, stepper motors and an arduino, ramps and stepper drivers and your pretty much good to go.

[Have Blue]

Agreed - any calls for restriction on the technology are absolutely
laughable, given how many of the printers are scratchbuilt.

In the Soviet Union, typewriters, printing presses, and photocopiers
were controlled by the KGB's First Department - I think everyone can
agree that that was a bad model to follow.