Legally, this is a grey area and needs to be tested, as copyright does not traditionally apply to functional objects.
It also depends on the license the thing was released under. If it's public domain, you're fine. If it's a creative commons license, you will have to check which version it is. Some specify no derivatives and/or non-commercial use only, and some require that you release any derivatives you make under the same license. With any of these, you are required to give attribution to the designer.
In any case, it is best to ask the author for permission, whether it is required or not.
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Let me point something out. The design you found for free up there on Thingiverse was put up there by someone not being a dick. They allowed you to use their design, their time, and their effort, again, for free. So why would you want to be a dick back to them? If you "change it a bit" honestly your contribution is probably less than 10% of the work that went into that thing. And you're not going to have any guilt about taking the money all for yourself?
I'm gonna be a bit hard nosed about this one. If I catch you selling a minor modification of my designs, and you haven't talked to me about it, I'm going to tell you to take it down.
I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution* and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's choice.
If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as that.
It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a license.
I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels
strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a
careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one):
have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat? Very clear
attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but not
sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com> wrote:
> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a
> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and
> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution*
> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a
> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's
> choice.
> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as
> that.
> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a
> license.
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
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> To post to this group, send email to thingiverse@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
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Most of my original things on thingiverse are marked non-commercial. The ones that aren't are derivatives of someone else's work. I still would not think it cool if someone took advantage
Full disclosure, I sell 3D printed things on Etsy as well. One of them is exactly what Mickthered is talking about, a minor modification of someone else's design. Specifically https://www.etsy.com/listing/105102366/keyed-heart-gears-key-chain . This conversation reminded me that I haven't contacted that thing's creator about selling it. (Mind you I haven't sold a single one yet, but that's entirely besides the point). I have deactivated it until I have that conversation. So I'm a bit of a hypocrite there myself.
All that aside I don't believe that just because someone didn't thing about what license they were setting for their things is reason enough to take advantage their hard work for personal gain. Creating something, particularly the sort of something that other people would be willing to pay for is not an easy process most of the time. I try to live by the rule "don't be a dick.' I am occasionally thoughtless (as above) and when I am I try to fix it. I feel like Mickthered, by virtue of asking, is trying not to be, so I'm not going to side with the people who say "as long as it's legal it's okay".
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:50:53 PM UTC-6, AdanA wrote:
> I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
> Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels > strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a > careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
> There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one): > have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat? Very clear > attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but not > sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
> Adan
> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com <javascript:>>wrote:
>> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a >> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and >> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution* >> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a >> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's >> choice.
>> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as >> that.
>> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a >> license.
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "thingiverse" group. >> To post to this group, send email to thing...@googlegroups.com<javascript:> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> thingiverse...@googlegroups.com <javascript:> >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/thingiverse?hl=en
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:50:53 PM UTC-6, AdanA wrote:
> I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
> Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels > strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a > careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
> There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one): > have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat? Very clear > attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but not > sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
> Adan
> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com <javascript:>>wrote:
>> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a >> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and >> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution* >> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a >> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's >> choice.
>> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as >> that.
>> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a >> license.
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "thingiverse" group. >> To post to this group, send email to thing...@googlegroups.com<javascript:> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> thingiverse...@googlegroups.com <javascript:> >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/thingiverse?hl=en
Well is there an lgpl license equivalent for objects? Can i include 3d
components in a commercial product as long as i continue to provide source
to the components themselves as well as attribution?
Interesting thought.
-matt
On Aug 14, 2012 2:23 PM, "Cymon" <joealar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Most of my original things on thingiverse are marked non-commercial. The
> ones that aren't are derivatives of someone else's work. I still would not
> think it cool if someone took advantage
> Full disclosure, I sell 3D printed things on Etsy as well. One of them is
> exactly what Mickthered is talking about, a minor modification of someone
> else's design. Specifically
> https://www.etsy.com/listing/105102366/keyed-heart-gears-key-chain . This
> conversation reminded me that I haven't contacted that thing's creator
> about selling it. (Mind you I haven't sold a single one yet, but that's
> entirely besides the point). I have deactivated it until I have that
> conversation. So I'm a bit of a hypocrite there myself.
> All that aside I don't believe that just because someone didn't thing
> about what license they were setting for their things is reason enough to
> take advantage their hard work for personal gain. Creating something,
> particularly the sort of something that other people would be willing to
> pay for is not an easy process most of the time. I try to live by the rule
> "don't be a dick.' I am occasionally thoughtless (as above) and when I am I
> try to fix it. I feel like Mickthered, by virtue of asking, is trying not
> to be, so I'm not going to side with the people who say "as long as it's
> legal it's okay".
> On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:50:53 PM UTC-6, AdanA wrote:
>> I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
>> Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels
>> strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a
>> careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
>> There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one):
>> have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/**CarryTheWhat?<http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat?>
>> Very clear attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but
>> not sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
>> Adan
>> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com> wrote:
>>> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a
>>> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and
>>> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution*
>>> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a
>>> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's
>>> choice.
>>> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as
>>> that.
>>> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a
>>> license.
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "thingiverse" group.
>>> To post to this group, send email to thing...@googlegroups.com
>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>> thingiverse...@**googlegroups.com
>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>> http://groups.google.com/**group/thingiverse?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/thingiverse?hl=en>
> On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:50:53 PM UTC-6, AdanA wrote:
>> I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
>> Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels
>> strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a
>> careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
>> There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one):
>> have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/**CarryTheWhat?<http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat?>
>> Very clear attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but
>> not sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
>> Adan
>> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com> wrote:
>>> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a
>>> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and
>>> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution*
>>> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a
>>> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's
>>> choice.
>>> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as
>>> that.
>>> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a
>>> license.
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "thingiverse" group.
>>> To post to this group, send email to thing...@googlegroups.com
>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>> thingiverse...@**googlegroups.com
>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>> http://groups.google.com/**group/thingiverse?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/thingiverse?hl=en>
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1) the purpose of the licence is to be a complete communication of the terms of the use. There should not be any "unwritten clauses" along the lines of "you must also abide by some unwritten ethical rules which are known only to an insider community, If you break our additional 'rules' we can't sue but we will bitch about you". If you want "extra rules" put them in the licence.
2) Be careful what licence you choose, I have seen several people choose the wrong licence then complain when people do what they are allowed. Often it seems people like the kudos of publishing an "open" design, but don't actually want to go through with the consequences.
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 10:23:52 PM UTC+1, Cymon wrote:
> Most of my original things on thingiverse are marked non-commercial. The > ones that aren't are derivatives of someone else's work. I still would not > think it cool if someone took advantage
> Full disclosure, I sell 3D printed things on Etsy as well. One of them is > exactly what Mickthered is talking about, a minor modification of someone > else's design. Specifically > https://www.etsy.com/listing/105102366/keyed-heart-gears-key-chain . This > conversation reminded me that I haven't contacted that thing's creator > about selling it. (Mind you I haven't sold a single one yet, but that's > entirely besides the point). I have deactivated it until I have that > conversation. So I'm a bit of a hypocrite there myself.
> All that aside I don't believe that just because someone didn't thing > about what license they were setting for their things is reason enough to > take advantage their hard work for personal gain. Creating something, > particularly the sort of something that other people would be willing to > pay for is not an easy process most of the time. I try to live by the rule > "don't be a dick.' I am occasionally thoughtless (as above) and when I am I > try to fix it. I feel like Mickthered, by virtue of asking, is trying not > to be, so I'm not going to side with the people who say "as long as it's > legal it's okay".
> On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:50:53 PM UTC-6, AdanA wrote:
>> I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
>> Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels >> strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a >> careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
>> There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one): >> have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat? Very clear >> attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but not >> sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
>> Adan
>> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com> wrote:
>>> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a >>> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and >>> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution* >>> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a >>> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's >>> choice.
>>> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as >>> that.
>>> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a >>> license.
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "thingiverse" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to thing...@googlegroups.com >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> thingiverse...@googlegroups.com >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/thingiverse?hl=en
> On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:50:53 PM UTC-6, AdanA wrote:
>> I'm glad the discussion is underway, eager to see how it is discussed.
>> Definitely the license chosen has clear meaning... if the creator feels >> strongly about usage, he/she ought to communicate those feelings through a >> careful choice of license; that's what it's there for.
>> There's an interesting example already in play (probably more than one): >> have you seen this? http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarryTheWhat? Very clear >> attribution, grateful acknowledgement of the creators' work, but not >> sharing the proceeds of the sales of the actual print.
>> Adan
>> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM, skw <sc...@artbots.com> wrote:
>>> I'm going to be a bit hard-nosed in return. The permissible uses of a >>> Thingiverse design are determined by the license posted with it, and >>> nothing more. If it's CC-Attribution then I owe the author *attribution* >>> and *nothing more* when I use it, no matter for what. It's not "being a >>> dick" for me to make a commercial product from it. That was the author's >>> choice.
>>> If it's CC-Noncommercial, then I must not make money with it. Simple as >>> that.
>>> It's not being a dick to take the author at his word when he chose a >>> license.
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "thingiverse" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to thing...@googlegroups.com >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> thingiverse...@googlegroups.com >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/thingiverse?hl=en
Mickthered, all you have to do is check the Licensing that the author published their design under. If you do find something worth selling its good measure to e-mail the author and state your intentions. But, in no way should the author expect monetary compensation if the licensing allows free commercial use of the design. Setting up a business and moving a product, whether its your design or not, is a very difficult process and it is you who takes all of the monetary risk.
All of my designs are set up under a Creative Commons License that allows anyone to use my work for commercial purposes. I publish my designs on Thiniverse because its a fun hobby and I assume that most people feel the same way. If someone wants to take my design and go through all of the stress of trying to sell it, I'd say go for it and good luck.
I don't really think that there is much "stress" involved in selling ones design - for example - online. That said I think what most people told you already is the best way to do this: Check the licensing and at least contact the author about your plans to sell the Thing. In any case you should acknowledge the author when you sell his/her Things.
Cheers
Am Sonntag, 30. Dezember 2012 12:18:41 UTC+1 schrieb Stephen Bailey:
> Mickthered, all you have to do is check the Licensing that the author > published their design under. If you do find something worth selling its > good measure to e-mail the author and state your intentions. But, in no > way should the author expect monetary compensation if the licensing allows > free commercial use of the design. Setting up a business and moving a > product, whether its your design or not, is a very difficult process and it > is you who takes all of the monetary risk.
> All of my designs are set up under a Creative Commons License that allows > anyone to use my work for commercial purposes. I publish my designs on > Thiniverse because its a fun hobby and I assume that most people feel the > same way. If someone wants to take my design and go through all of the > stress of trying to sell it, I'd say go for it and good luck.
That is indeed an interesting read, Tony. But I don't think it applies to this discussion directly.
Here's my angle as a designer. There are thing on thingiverse I don't mind you selling. They are mostly utility in nature. Then there are things that I mark "non-commercial" that I do not want any one else profiting from without and agreement from me. These are more artistic in nature. True some designs straddle the boundry but for the most part I mark a design "non-commercial" if I'm going to be upset to find that someone else is profiting from my work.
That said, I know from experience the process of manufacturing and distributing is a lot of work. But that wouldn't be possible without the process of research and design with the associated creativity that is involved in it. In terms of actual work R&D is not 50%, but in terms of importance and value it is. If you're not offering your designer 50% you're ripping them off. If they only take 10% they're being fair. But if you want to sell someone else's design you should be ready and willing to give them half.
Have a look at the license the Thing you are interested in has applied to it, to make sure this is OK. I have had some of my Thingiverse items sold for profit, and personally I am flattered. All I ask is that I (and any parent designers on derived work) are credited, and that the commercial work is not licensed more restrictively. As Cymon points out, some people choose to specifically release under a Non-Commercial license. Respect that. People put awesome stuff on Thingiverse every day, and so long as you don't make them regret doing so they will continue to make more awesome things for you to use freely.
So, to answer your question directly: YES Make your changes to the Thing, post your derivative work to Thingiverse and credit the parent in your Thing's settings page. Then, link to your Thing's page from wherever you are selling it. This way you will have credited the parent and released your version under the same license. Thingiverse will not allow you to create a derivative work if the parent's license disallows it, or set a more restrictive license. Thus, the mere act of being able to post your own version assures that you have followed the license.
On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 12:22 PM, 7777773 <bry...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Have a look at the license the Thing you are interested in has applied to
> it, to make sure this is OK. I have had some of my Thingiverse items sold
> for profit, and personally I am flattered. All I ask is that I (and any
> parent designers on derived work) are credited, and that the commercial work
> is not licensed more restrictively. As Cymon points out, some people choose
> to specifically release under a Non-Commercial license. Respect that.
> People put awesome stuff on Thingiverse every day, and so long as you don't
> make them regret doing so they will continue to make more awesome things for
> you to use freely.
> So, to answer your question directly: YES
> Make your changes to the Thing, post your derivative work to Thingiverse and
> credit the parent in your Thing's settings page. Then, link to your Thing's
> page from wherever you are selling it. This way you will have credited the
> parent and released your version under the same license. Thingiverse will
> not allow you to create a derivative work if the parent's license disallows
> it, or set a more restrictive license. Thus, the mere act of being able to
> post your own version assures that you have followed the license.
> On Monday, August 13, 2012 5:04:12 PM UTC-5, Mickthered wrote:
>> Hi, my name is Mickthered and I'm a newbie.
>> I have a problem, well many really, but the one I need advise on is this.
>> Can I take a design from Thingiverse, change it a bit and then use it the
>> make real things, then sell these things for money?
>> Or will I end up will I end up in a small room with very friendly murders
>> and drug dealers?
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