Remixes of the 3DBenchy model are retrieved from Printables, a 3D printing file sharing site from 3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research.
The 3DBenchy design, a popular benchmark for desktop FDM 3D printers, has always been subject to the Creative Commons BY-ND 4.0 license, which prohibits redistribution of remixed material. However, this was not actively enforced by Creative Tools, the model's creator, after its launch in 2015.
Concerns were recently raised when Reddit user u/mkrjoe shared a message from Printables customer support that all derivative 3DBenchy models will be removed from Printables, with “consistent enforcement” across the platform. The post claims that the user's “My Benchy Glitched Out” remix was deleted from the site, leading to backlash from the community. Many took to online forums to express their displeasure that redesigns of the classic 3D printing benchmark could no longer be shared on printables.
This follows the acquisition of Creative Tools by NTI Group in March 2024, which now owns the IP rights to the 3DBenchy theme. Some speculated that the Denmark-based digital solutions provider is actively seeking to strengthen licensing.
However, NTI Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Henriette Tamasauskas told 3D Printing Industry: “NTI has not taken any action to enforce the 3DBenchy license or taken steps to remove derivatives.” Instead, Rudolf Krčmář, CMO of NTI, confirmed Prusa Research said Printables enforced the shutdowns in response to a “third-party report.”
3DBenchy remixes removed from printables
While Krčmář could not reveal who was behind the report that triggered Benchy's kidnapping, he confirmed that it was not filed by NTI. Printable's recent enforcement actions follow “standard operating procedure” for all designs, as the site is “required to act in accordance with the license terms.”
However, Krčmář revealed that discussions are currently underway with NTI, who have reportedly “expressed their support for retaining remixes of the Benchy model.” Prusa's CMO expressed hope that the two companies can work together “to find a sustainable and solid solution for the future.”
Krčmář suggested that a solution could be a change to the 3DBenchy license to allow remixes. Tamasauskas commented that NTI “had no plans to make money from 3DBenchy and will look at what can be done in the future.”
Amid reports of Benchy's removal, Daniel Norée, 3DBenchy's lead designer, published a LinkedIn post saying goodbye to Creative Tools following its merger with NTI. The timing of this may have fueled speculation that the Danish company was behind the shutdowns.
In his message, the “Father of 3Dbenchy” shared that the home of the iconic design “now exists only in our memories.” Norée added: “It just didn’t feel right for such a great company to just disappear without saying a proper goodbye.”
Intellectual Property and 3D Printing Takedown Notices
Intellectual property and 3D printing are a controversial topic. Open source ideas were central to many pioneers of desktop 3D printing and are still prevalent in the maker community. Dr. Adrian Bowyer, whose community-led RepRap project inspired companies such as Prusa Research, UltiMaker and MakerBot, has called the idea of intellectual property (including patents) “nonsense on stilts”.
However, Michael Weinberg, board member of the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), believes Creative Commons licenses have sparked “an explosion of new 3D printable content.” He previously told 3D Printing Industry that their distribution on file-sharing sites means that “the core of publicly available 3D printable objects are being licensed in a truly permissive way.” While 3DBenchy currently has strict limits on redistribution, most other Creative Commons rules encourage “maximum distribution and use of licensed materials.”
Previous intellectual property disputes have sparked conflict between the additive manufacturing industry and global corporations. Back in 2019, Lego Group sent a series of takedown notices for Lego-inspired prints and fan art to 3D printer manufacturers.
One designer, Stian Ervik Wahlvåg, posted a series of videos including a 3D printable, scaled-up LEGO Space Blaster and a “3D printed, functional, human-scale LEGO parrot.” Originally, these videos included links to download the .stl files. However, these were removed at the request of the Danish toy manufacturer.
The takedown notices specifically referenced the “famous red square LEGO logo and minifigure” and asked recipients to “remove the listings as soon as possible.” While a 2010 ECJ ruling found that the classic Lego brick was not trademarked could be protected, the company's minifigure products were granted protection.
Elsewhere, automobile manufacturer Honda Prusa Research previously issued a takedown notice for all Honda-related 3D printable files on Printables. All models released before March 30, 2022 have been removed with immediate effect after Honda provided the company with a “huge legal document” detailing the files in question. These reportedly included models bearing Honda logos, as well as certain items with shapes and dimensions that the Japanese automaker believed infringed on its trademarks.
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The featured image shows Benchy's 3D printed on a Mosquito enhanced Prusa i3 mk3. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.