3D printing, intellectual property and innovation

About this book

3D Printing, Intellectual Property and Innovation evaluates the tensions created by 3D printing (3DP) technology in the context of growing global economy. The term '3DP' (or, more correctly, additive manufacturing) refers to the software-driven technologies that create physical objects by successive layering of materials. As a result of the improved quality of objects produced and lowered processing costs, the availability of these technologies has caused major implications not only for manufacturers and distributors but also for users and consumers, raising unprecedented challenges for IP protection and enforcement. This is the first book to discuss 3DP technology from a multidisciplinary perspective that encompasses law, economics, engineering, technology and policy. --