3DBenchy Remix Takedowns Stir Controversy on Printables

Remixes of the iconic 3DBenchy model are being removed from Printables, a 3D printing file-sharing platform operated by Prusa Research. This enforcement highlights longstanding but previously unenforced licensing restrictions tied to the design.

The 3DBenchy, a popular benchmarking model for FDM 3D printers, has been licensed under Creative Commons BY-ND 4.0 since its release in 2015. This license prohibits redistribution of derivative works. However, Creative Tools, the model’s creator, had not enforced these restrictions, allowing remixed versions to circulate freely.

Concerns arose recently when Reddit user u/mkrjoe shared a Printables customer support message stating all derivative Benchy models would be removed. The user reported their remix, titled “My Benchy Glitched Out,” was deleted, sparking widespread community backlash. Many makers expressed frustration in online forums, criticizing the crackdown on reimagined versions of the beloved design.

The situation follows Creative Tools’ acquisition by NTI Group in March 2024. This Denmark-based digital solutions provider now holds intellectual property rights to 3DBenchy, fueling speculation that NTI initiated the takedowns.

However, NTI’s Chief Marketing Officer, Henriette Tamasauskas, denied this, telling 3D Printing Industry that NTI “has not taken any action to enforce the 3DBenchy license or remove derivatives.” Prusa Research CMO Rudolf Krčmář confirmed that Printables had acted in response to a “third-party report” but clarified that NTI was not the source of the complaint.

Krčmář explained that Printables’ actions aligned with its policy of adhering to licensing terms. “Standard procedure” required the removal of remixed Benchy files due to the non-derivative clause of the BY-ND 4.0 license. He added that discussions with NTI are ongoing, with both parties exploring options to address the community’s concerns.

“NTI has expressed support for keeping remixes of the Benchy model available,” Krčmář shared, suggesting that an amendment to the license could enable remixing in the future. Tamasauskas emphasized NTI’s lack of intent to monetize 3DBenchy and pledged to review potential solutions.

Meanwhile, Daniel Norée, 3DBenchy’s lead designer, bid farewell to Creative Tools in a reflective LinkedIn post following the company’s merger with NTI. Describing Creative Tools as a once “great company,” Norée lamented its dissolution and expressed gratitude for its role in the 3D printing community.

Intellectual Property in the Maker Space

The 3DBenchy controversy underscores broader tensions between intellectual property laws and the open-source ethos central to the maker community. While Creative Commons licensing has facilitated the sharing of 3D-printable designs, restrictive terms like the BY-ND 4.0 license challenge the free remix culture embraced by many hobbyists.

Dr. Adrian Bowyer, founder of the RepRap project and a pioneer of open-source 3D printing, has dismissed intellectual property protections as “nonsense upon stilts.” Conversely, Michael Weinberg, a board member of the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), has praised Creative Commons licenses for enabling a proliferation of publicly available 3D models.

Despite these benefits, licensing disputes in 3D printing are not new. In 2019, Lego issued takedown notices targeting 3D-printed replicas of its products, including fan art and scaled-up versions of iconic designs. Similarly, Honda enforced intellectual property claims against Prusa Research in 2022, leading to the removal of Honda-related files from Printables.

As the maker community grapples with the complexities of intellectual property, the ongoing discussions between NTI and Prusa Research may offer a precedent for balancing creativity, collaboration, and legal compliance in the future of 3D printing.