Anti Copying in Design (ACID), supported by the Alliance for Intellectual Property, is set to deliver a one-day conference on 3D Printing - Opportunities & IP Challenges, at The Furniture Makers’ Hall, London on 14th April.
3D printing is developing at break-neck speed and opening significant opportunities in many sectors for prototyping, bespoke manufacture or manufacturing in general. However, when any new technology emerges it often has the potential to demolish existing ways of manufacturing or delivering product and of doing business generally, and in doing so can erode existing legal protection for creators and designers. Historically this has opened the door to counterfeiters.
Dids Macdonald OBE, ACID’s CEO and vice chair of the Alliance for IP, says: “Following Government’s research on 3D printing their policy position is very much .wait and see'. However, we believe there is a need for an IP rethink as well as exploring new technology which will combat potential IP issues before they happen. The one-day conference in April will bring together industry leaders, IP legal specialists/stakeholders, policy makers and 3D printing experts to act as a catalyst for thought leadership and a basis for continuing discussions with Government and policy makers following the event.”
The keynote speaker will be Rosa Wilkinson, director of innovation at the Intellectual Property Office, and there will be a live 3D printing demonstration.
