Pirate Bay Hosts Physical Objects - And Is Accused Of Infringing Games Workshop Copyright?

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**Chowderhead**

From the Huffington Post:

File-sharing website The Pirate Bay is for the first time hosting downloadable plans of 3D objects, which can be automatically printed at home with the right equipment.

But just hours after launching its new service the website was subject to claims of copyright infringement.

So-called 3D Printers have been available in some form for many years, and recently have begun to fall in cost - making them more easily and more readily available.

The way 3D printers work can vary widely. Some models use a soft plastic to build 3D objects - resin is laid down in thin layers by the printer, and gradually the strands are build up into a 3D form - while other more expensive printers use lasers to cut objects into shape and can make use of a mixture of materials.

In the past 3D printers have been heralded as providing a means for a new, legitimate and sustainable business model for small companies, and many communities of enthusiasts sharing designs and models have sprung up around the web on that basis.

The Pirate Bay is providing a new way for users to share 3D plans and objects, via Magnet Links and Torrents linked to straight from its website.

In a blog post The Pirate Bay said that physical objects ("physibles") represent "the next step in copying".

"We believe that things like three dimensional printers, scanners and such are just the first step," the website said. "We believe that in the nearby future you will print your spare sparts for your vehicles. You will download your sneakers within 20 years.

"The benefit to society is huge. No more shipping huge amount of products around the world. No more shipping the broken products back. No more child labour.

"We'll be able to print food for hungry people. We'll be able to share not only a recipe, but the full meal. We'll be able to actually copy that floppy, if we needed one."

The dangers for businesses are obvious, however. At a time when the fight over copyright infringement of digital music and movies is still in full swing, fighting the piracy of physical objects via the Internet has the potential to open into a legal minefield.

And as soon as the Pirate Bay 'physibles' section launched, at least one company appeared to have been made a target.

A model listed by an anonymous user as a 'Tabletop Wargaming Robot Model' - but identifiable to the Huffington Post UK as the likeness of a Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine Dreadnought, which is a trademarked design of the UK-based Games Workshop Group PLC - was freely available and had already been downloaded by at least 23 people as of press time.

The model, an official version of which costs £28 from Games Workshop, has been previously listed on a 3D printing community website, but the plans were reportedly pulled after a takedown notice was issued.

The Huffington Post UK was not independently able to test whether the available design was that of an actual Warhammer model, or a design 'inspired' by the official dreadnought.

In addition Games Workshop said they had no comment, and it was not possible to contact the creator of the design as the plans were listed anonymously.

But even though 3D printers remain a relatively niche interest for now, the prospect of widespread copyright infringement in even 5, 10 or 20 years must still be considered a worrying development. As the Pirate Bay themselves point out:

"We believe that things like three dimensional printers, scanners and such are just the first step. We believe that in the nearby future you will print your spare sparts for your vehicles. You will download your sneakers within 20 years."

Music and movies may just be the start. Lawyers, start your engines.

TL;DR: Someone uploaded a file for Dreads for 3D printers. That's right. Someone is pirating a dreadnaught.

Discuss!

**Adam LongWalker**

Err Old news?

**Chowderhead**

It's not that old. I don't think there has been a thread on this.

**Howard A Treesong**

I'd like to see a picture of the model to assess how realistic the claim of 'copying' is.

**Samus_aran115**

What would I search if I was looking for this? Is it a document? A picture? A video? Or is it something new entirely?

That's funny though. You'd need a really good 3d printer to make a detailed dreadnought, I think.

**Chowderhead**

The jury finds it guilty of being hideous.

**LazzurusMan**

Inspiration only...that is NOT a GW design XD

But I see why they are worried...many gamers don't play at GW...so things like this are perfect for those people...plus a 3D printer would save you loads compared to a 40k army...but it's not right.

Stuff like this NEEDS to be stopped.,..but unfortunately the only way is to ban the internet...and we all know that'll never happen.

**Howard A Treesong**

Well it's a nice try but there's something of a christmas cracker quality to it.

**Samus_aran115**

Hell, I'd print that out. It's better than a carnifex as a proxy dreadnought.

**LazzurusMan**

This is only slightly off topic...but anyone seen the dreadnought, Ork and space marine on bike rip off's on that Facebook game called Social Wars??

Looks similar to the Dreadnought rip off in that XD

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Samus_aran115 wrote:Hell, I'd print that out. It's better than a carnifex as a proxy dreadnought.

But it's also illegal...and tbh...I wouldn't play you if you were using it :/

**Shaozun**

If it was an exact replica with swappable parts and it cost less than $74 (Dreadnought price) in materials then they'd have a market in Australia.

Otherwise, GW is set for a few years.

**LazzurusMan**

I can see one good thing on that model...a damned multi melta...you never get one unless you buy the AOBR dread XD

**CT GAMER**

I blame GW.

Dreads used to be rare sacred things that where only fielded in dire circumstances.

Now armies regularly field a six-pack of them as if they are disposable fodder.

In a couple of editions we will havea marine chapter of all dreadnoughts that ride robotic wolves...

**Avatar 720**

Just so long as they don't host a Rifleman version, I think we should be okay; non-Riflemen are generally sub-par choices anyway.

**Shaozun**

Avatar 720 wrote:Just so long as they don't host a Rifleman version, I think we should be okay; non-Riflemen are generally sub-par choices anyway.

We have a problem when people upload 3D scans of the models as this was clearly either a very low-res scan or done by hand (most likely the latter).

You can google some peoples results of high-res scans and they are truly amazing, they look the same except for the bumps.

**Avatar 720**

Part of me thinks that you didn't get the joke...

**Chowderhead**

There is no humor in DD!

NONE!

**Aerethan**

I can see it as a derivative work, but not a recast or anything.

3d printers are still quite pricey, so I don't really see this idea taking off that quickly. The day a 3d printer of any quality is $200 then I'll buy one.

**Platuan4th**

Chowderhead wrote:There is no humor in DD!

NONE!

I thought you'd been around long enough to know this.

Humor exists only in the DCM forum, sadly.

**Chowderhead**

Platuan4th wrote:
Chowderhead wrote:There is no humor in DD!

NONE!

I thought you'd been around long enough to know this.

Humor exists only in the DCM forum, sadly.

Not true.

OT is funny enough sometimes. We have a drag competition going on right now.

I have no idea how or why, but it's happening.

**nkelsch**

Shaozun wrote:
Avatar 720 wrote:Just so long as they don't host a Rifleman version, I think we should be okay; non-Riflemen are generally sub-par choices anyway.

We have a problem when people upload 3D scans of the models as this was clearly either a very low-res scan or done by hand (most likely the latter).

You can google some peoples results of high-res scans and they are truly amazing, they look the same except for the bumps.

All the dawn of war 3D models from the video game are basically "exported" as people can get the 3D renders from the game files.

Fan art is derivative works and companies tolerate it. As soon as people turn 3D fan art into products which directly compete with the companies primary business (like action figures or models) they will be forced to sue the Internet into oblivion.

**RiTides**

Why copy when there are cool, free models out there to try printing? Like this guy:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16596

And they're only going to get better

. No need to take someone else's IP, just print an awesome open source walker

**daedalus**

There is something so utterly appalling to me about the very concept of an 'illegal shape'.

**notprop**

Not me daedalus. I look soo damn good my shape has gotta be illegal!

OwwwwW!

**biccat**

daedalus wrote:There is something so utterly appalling to me about the very concept of an 'illegal shape'.

Do you really find it that appalling that a copyright can be applied to a sculptural work, or a digital representation of that work?

Or is this an extension of a distate for copyright law in general?

**Andilus Greatsword**

There's a guy at my GW who has a 3D printer and he uses it to make bitz for his models and various Stompas. He's also made a Leman Russ using it, but it doesn't look very good at all. Plus it's one solid piece so you can't rotate the turrets.

**daedalus**

biccat wrote:
daedalus wrote:There is something so utterly appalling to me about the very concept of an 'illegal shape'.

Do you really find it that appalling that a copyright can be applied to a sculptural work, or a digital representation of that work?

Or is this an extension of a distate for copyright law in general?

Frankly? Mostly the latter, though, given that the traditional method of famous artists developing their talents by copying the established works of the time, it's a little hypocritical.

At any rate, I'd feel better about it were copyright not getting extended every time Micky Mouse gets within 10 years of public domain.

**CSSXCIV**

If he had a better printer or took the effort to break it down into component pieces you would be able to. That's the trick is if you want the stuff to look great and function great you need to copy the individual bits as they come off the sprue then assemble them.

**Grakmar**

article wrote:downloaded by at least 23 people

So, not exactly an epidemic at the moment. Perhaps it will be in a few years, but not yet.

I'm sure GW legal and marketing are well aware of this issue and are looking into strategies to beat it.

**matphat**

"We'll be able to print food for hungry people. We'll be able to share not only a recipe, but the full meal. "

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.