California mulls 3D printing law for state library users
Law makers in California are considering a bill that would make it compulsory to warn users of 3D printers in libraries about infringing intellectual property.
The AB-37 bill would require all state libraries in California to issue warnings about the potential misuse of the printers.
According to the bill, there would be “a notice on or near the 3D printer that would alert users of the 3D printer of the potential liability of the user for misuse”.
If the bill succeeds, each library with a 3D printer would be required to post a notice that would have to cite the “applicable state and federal laws”, including on copyright, trademarks and patents.
Any notices would also be required to describe the potential damages for liability and criminal penalties that may apply if the laws are violated.
The bill was proposed by California State Assembly member Nora Campos and has been referred to the committee stage in that house, which is the lower part of the state legislature (with the Senate being the upper part).
In the US, state bills, which come from representatives of one of two houses, are assigned to policy committees according to the bill’s subject area.
During the committee hearing the author of a bill presents it to the house he or she represents. Bills passed by committees are then read a second and third time in the house of origin. This process is then repeated in the other house.
If both houses approve a bill, it then goes to the state’s governor. The governor has three choices: to sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without his or her signature, or veto it.
Although the bill was originally drafted in December, it was only picked up by the media last week when Parker Higgins, an activist at digital rights group the Electronic Frontier Foundation, drew attention to it on Twitter.
3D printers are not commonplace, but there have still been disputes arising from their use.
Earlier this year, WIPR reported on a row between singer Katy Perry and artist Fernando Sosa. Perry claimed that she owned the copyright to the ‘Left shark’ costume, made famous at this year’s Super Bowl, and demanded that online marketplace Shapeways remove products that were made by Sosa using a 3D printer and that depicted the shark.
