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{{CompanyCargo
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American 3D printing company
|Founded=2009
|Founded=2009
|Industry=3D printing
|Industry=3D printing
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|Type=Subsidiary
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://makerbot.com/
|Website=https://makerbot.com/
|Description=American 3D printing company
}}
}}


'''{{wplink|MakerBot|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink||RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clay |first=Kelly |title=3D Printing Company MakerBot Acquired In $604 Million Deal |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/ |archive-date=2025-10-04 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>
'''{{Wplink|MakerBot|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink||RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of its Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clay |first=Kelly |title=3D Printing Company MakerBot Acquired In $604 Million Deal |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8 |website=Forbes |date=19 Jun 2013 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629011651/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/ |archive-date=29 Jun 2013}}</ref>


MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaleski |first=Andrew |date=2015-11-27 |title=Why MakerBot and 3D Systems are Losing the Desktop 3D Market |url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ |archive-date=2017-10-27 |website=[[FORTUNE]]}}</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Jordan |date=2015-04-17 |title=MakerBot Just Laid Off 20 Percent of Its Staff |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ |archive-date=2025-10-04 |website=[[VICE]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Rachel |date=2017-02-15 |title=MakerBot Prepares for Another Round of Layoffs |url=https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ |archive-date=2017-07-02 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>
MakerBot was at one point the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaleski |first=Andrew |title=Why MakerBot and 3D Systems are Losing the Desktop 3D Market |url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ |website=Fortune |date=27 Nov 2015 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ |archive-date=27 Oct 2017}}</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Jordan |title=MakerBot Just Laid Off 20 Percent of Its Staff |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ |website=VICE |date=17 Apr 2015 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Rachel |title=MakerBot Prepares for Another Round of Layoffs |url=https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ |website=Forbes |date=15 Feb 2017 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ |archive-date=2 Jul 2017}}</ref>


On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title=Stratasys Completes Merger of MakerBot With Ultimaker |url=https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker |archive-date=2025-12-21 |website=[[Stratasys]]}}</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.
On 31 August 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Stratasys Completes Merger of MakerBot With Ultimaker |url=https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker |website=Stratasys |date=13 Sep 2022 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker |archive-date=21 Dec 2025}}</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.


==Consumer impact summary==
==Consumer impact summary==
*'''User freedom:''' MakerBot updated the Thingiverse terms of use to say that MakerBot owns everything submitted by users on Thingiverse. However, MakerBot later changed this so that users own what they submit to Thingiverse. MakerBot also stopped making open-source printers, and began making closed-source printers instead with proprietary hardware and software.


*'''User Freedom:''' MakerBot updated the Thingiverse terms of use to say that MakerBot owns everything submitted by users on Thingiverse. However, MakerBot later changed this so that users own what they submit to Thingiverse. MakerBot also stopped making open-source printers, and started making closed-source printers instead with proprietary hardware and software.
*'''Market control:''' MakerBot has extensive competition, with other brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], [[Creality]], and Prusa Research having more market share than MakerBot. Makerbot also merged with Ultimaker, and only the Sketch line of printers is under the MakerBot brand name.
*'''Market Control:''' MakerBot has extensive competition, with other brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], [[Creality]], and Prusa Research having more market share than MakerBot. Makerbot also merged with Ultimaker, and only the Sketch line of printers is under the MakerBot brand name.


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].


This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Ditching open-source (''2012'')===
MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Rich |title=Pulling back from open source hardware, MakerBot angers some adherents |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ |website=CNET |date=27 Sep 2012 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260124092943/https:/www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.


===Ditching open-source (2012):===
===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (''2012'')===
MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Rich |date=2012-09-27 |title=Pulling back from open source hardware, MakerBot angers some adherents |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260124092943/https://www.cnet.com/web/20260124092943/https:/www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ |archive-date=2026-01-24 |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.
MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benchoff |first=Brian |title=Makerbot, Occupy Thingiverse, And The Reality Of Selling Open Hardware |url=https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ |website=Hackaday |date=20 Sep 2012 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008101056/https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ |archive-date=8 Oct 2025}}</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on 3 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Makerbot Terms of Use |url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ |website=MakerBot |date=3 Jan 2023 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ |archive-date=26 Oct 2023 |quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>


===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===
===Accusations of IP theft (''2014'')===
MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benchoff |first=Brian |date=2012-09-20 |title=Makerbot, Occupy Thingiverse, And The Reality Of Selling Open Hardware |url=https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008101056/https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ |archive-date=2025-10-08 |website=[[Hackaday]]}}</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Terms of Use - MakerBot |url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ |archive-date=2023-10-26 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=[[MakerBot]] |at=3.1 |language=English |quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>
In 2014, MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molitch-Hou |first=Michael |title=Has MakerBot Become TakerBot? |url=http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/ |website=3D Printing Industry |date=28 May 2014 |access-date=1 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/ |archive-date=1 May 2016}}</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biggs |first=John |title=MakerBot Responds To Critics Who Claim It Is Stealing Community IP |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ |website=TechCrunch |date=28 May 2014 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111041317/https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ |archive-date=11 Nov 2025}}</ref>


===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===
===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (''2015'')===
MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molitch-Hou |first=Michael |date=2014-05-28 |title=Has MakerBot Become TakerBot? |url=http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/ |archive-date=2016-05-01 |website=[[3D Printing Industry]]}}</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biggs |first=John |date=2014-05-28 |title=MakerBot Responds To Critics Who Claim It Is Stealing Community IP |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111041317/https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ |archive-date=2025-11-11 |website=[[TechCrunch]]}}</ref>
Makerbot was hit with a {{Wplink|class action}} lawsuit, claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stultz |first=Matt |title=MakerBot Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Faulty Extruders |url=https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ |website=Make: |date=14 Jul 2015 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210235308/https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ |archive-date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Nick |title=Class action lawsuit against MakerBot dismissed |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ |website=3D Printing Industry |date=12 Jul 2016 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |title=MakerBot is replacing its most ill-fated 3D printing product |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 |website=The Verge |date=4 Jan 2016 |access-date=26 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112144433/https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref>


===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===
==Products==
Makerbot was hit with a {{Wplink|class action}} lawsuit, claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stultz |first=Matt |date=2015-07-14 |title=MakerBot Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Faulty Extruders |url=https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210235308/https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ |archive-date=2025-12-10 |website=[[Make:]]}}</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Nick |date=2016-07-12 |title=Class action lawsuit against MakerBot dismissed |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ |archive-date=2025-10-04 |website=[[3D Printing Industry]]}}</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=2016-01-04 |title=MakerBot is replacing its most ill-fated 3D printing product |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 |url-status=live |website=The Verge}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251112144433/https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 Archived])</ref>
{{Ph-C-P}}


==See also==
==See also==
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