Is 3D printer company Bambu Lab trying to patent everything about 3D printing? (opens in new tab)

(patents.google.com)

29 pointsbotolo2y ago16 comments

16 comments

Today there were several threads on different social media platforms related to the number of patents filed by Bambu Lab, covering many aspects of 3d printing already existing and the subject of open source work

realitysballs2y ago

I think the legal term here is: Common knowledge

pcdoodle2y ago

Perhaps this patenting creating a chilling effect?

These patent seekers are almost like domain squatters, not adding value but wants to own an idea without actually producing a sizable market themselves.

bb882y ago

This is from the prusa blog. RepRap started out originally as open source.

https://blog.prusa3d.com/the-state-of-open-source-in-3d-prin...

It's worth noting that in 2022, Prusa had 0 patents assigned to them.

https://www.fabbaloo.com/news/which-3d-print-company-has-the...

aix12y ago

I looked through the list and only one of the patents is granted outside China (and, at a glance, appears to be novel): https://patents.google.com/patent/CN113246473A/en

P.S. I have no idea what patent practices are like in China.

BoorishBears2y ago

That's the default pressure advance K factor test that's been used for years. Literally no way they can claim that's novel.

bb882y ago

Maybe it's novel? Who really knows though unless you want to spend time through the sprawling patent system. Or the body of work that encompasses the open source rep rap community.

Steltek2y ago

No surprises really. Bambu was clearly a commercial/proprietary enterprise. A lot of their employees come from DJI, which is equally locked down. The only reason they released their slicer software is because of the GPL (hey, it works!).

WrtCdEvrydy2y ago

> A lot of their employees come from DJI, which is equally locked down.

Why does this suddenly make sense with the proprietary hotends and other magic...

Ankaios2y ago

Maybe we should propose legislation for an IP black hole list. If too many of a company's patents are invalidated, the company loses the ability to create or hold patents.

jojobas2y ago

Start another company, continue.Good luck untangling double dutch sandwiches. Nothing but monetary punishment works, unless you're willing to jail executives.

eigenvalue2y ago

Patents have to be issued in the name of people (although they can ultimately be assigned to companies). So you could institute some kind of ban for 10 years or something if too many of the person's patent applications turn out to be total BS.

1 more reply

Ankaios2y ago

Yeah, I agree. I had a similar thought while writing the note. Some sort of ban is an entertaining thought, but hiding ownership is probably too easy for bans to make a meaningful difference.

vikramkr2y ago

Looks like most of these patents are in china. I would be curious to see how these do in a us filing given how much prior set they'd have to navigate around in 3d printing

nummerfuenf2y ago

Those are still pending and probably won't go through. That stuff is old tech and considered state of the art. It's like you're trying to patent the wheel.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

16 comments

botoloOP2y ago

realitysballs2y ago

I think the legal term here is: Common knowledge

pcdoodle2y ago

Perhaps this patenting creating a chilling effect?

These patent seekers are almost like domain squatters, not adding value but wants to own an idea without actually producing a sizable market themselves.

bb882y ago

This is from the prusa blog. RepRap started out originally as open source.

https://blog.prusa3d.com/the-state-of-open-source-in-3d-prin...

It's worth noting that in 2022, Prusa had 0 patents assigned to them.

https://www.fabbaloo.com/news/which-3d-print-company-has-the...

aix12y ago

I looked through the list and only one of the patents is granted outside China (and, at a glance, appears to be novel): https://patents.google.com/patent/CN113246473A/en

P.S. I have no idea what patent practices are like in China.

BoorishBears2y ago

That's the default pressure advance K factor test that's been used for years. Literally no way they can claim that's novel.

bb882y ago

Maybe it's novel? Who really knows though unless you want to spend time through the sprawling patent system. Or the body of work that encompasses the open source rep rap community.

Steltek2y ago

WrtCdEvrydy2y ago

> A lot of their employees come from DJI, which is equally locked down.

Why does this suddenly make sense with the proprietary hotends and other magic...

Ankaios2y ago

Maybe we should propose legislation for an IP black hole list. If too many of a company's patents are invalidated, the company loses the ability to create or hold patents.

jojobas2y ago

Start another company, continue.Good luck untangling double dutch sandwiches. Nothing but monetary punishment works, unless you're willing to jail executives.

eigenvalue2y ago

1 more reply

Ankaios2y ago

Yeah, I agree. I had a similar thought while writing the note. Some sort of ban is an entertaining thought, but hiding ownership is probably too easy for bans to make a meaningful difference.

vikramkr2y ago

Looks like most of these patents are in china. I would be curious to see how these do in a us filing given how much prior set they'd have to navigate around in 3d printing

nummerfuenf2y ago

Those are still pending and probably won't go through. That stuff is old tech and considered state of the art. It's like you're trying to patent the wheel.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse