3D Printing restrictions and bans: Difference between revisions

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A third concern is copyleft compliance. The slicer and firmware that drive most consumer printers are open-source projects under copyleft licenses. PrusaSlicer and Bambu Studio are released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPLv3), and the firmware projects Marlin and Klipper are released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3).<ref name="prusaslicer-lic" /><ref name="bambustudio-lic" /><ref name="marlin-lic" /><ref name="klipper-lic" /> GPLv3 Section 6 requires a distributor of a consumer product to provide the ''"Installation Information"'' needed to install and run a modified version of the covered software on that product, and AGPLv3 Section 13 requires that users interacting with modified software over a network be offered its source.<ref name="gpl3" /><ref name="agpl3" /> Those source-disclosure obligations have been enforced against printer makers: in August 2018 the US distributor Printed Solid stopped selling Creality machines over an unreleased Marlin source violation, and on May 18, 2026 the Software Freedom Conservancy alleged that Bambu Lab violated AGPLv3 by combining Bambu Studio with a proprietary library.<ref name="hackaday-marlin" /><ref name="sfc-bambu" /> A separate dispute over compiled binary modules on Creality's K1 and K2 printers is documented in the [[Creality K2 series GPLv3 violation]] article.

Another concern is tracking and loss of privacy. Print&Go's "3D GUN'T" software to block printing firearm parts spells out this potential under "How does 3D GUN'T work?" <blockquote>3. Complete print traceability

Another concern is tracking and loss of privacy. Print&Go's "3D GUN'T" software to block printing firearm parts spells out this potential under "How does 3D GUN'T work?" <blockquote><big>3. Complete print traceability</big>

The system keeps a record of everything that's printed, including who printed it, what was printed, and even where they were when it was printed. If someone does manage to print a gun, the authorities will be able to '''identify and trace any instances''' of printing gun-related material.<ref name="printandgo" /></blockquote>While the system is aimed at tracking ''firearm'' parts, there is no regard given for any other ~~possible~~ use of 3D printers.

The system keeps a record of everything that's printed, including who printed it, what was printed, and even where they were when it was printed. If someone does manage to print a gun, the authorities will be able to '''identify and trace any instances''' of printing gun-related material.<ref name="printandgo" /></blockquote>While the system is aimed at tracking ''firearm'' parts, there is no regard given for any other use of 3D printers.

==Court cases==

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<ref name="prusaslicer-lic">{{Cite web |title=PrusaSlicer LICENSE file |url=https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/blob/master/LICENSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260520083703/https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/blob/master/LICENSE |archive-date=2026-05-20 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Prusa Research (GitHub)}} Identifies PrusaSlicer as licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.</ref>

<ref name="bambustudio-lic">{{Cite web |title=BambuStudio LICENSE file |url=https://github.com/bambulab/BambuStudio/blob/master/LICENSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202095911/https://github.com/bambulab/BambuStudio/blob/master/LICENSE |archive-date=2025-12-02 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Bambu Lab (GitHub)}} Identifies bambulab/BambuStudio as licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.</ref>

<ref name="marlin-lic">{{Cite web |url=https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin/blob/2.1.x/LICENSE |~~title~~=Marlin LICENSE ~~file~~ |~~publisher~~=~~MarlinFirmware (GitHub)~~ |access-date=2026-06-02}} Reproduces the GNU General Public License Version 3.</ref>

<ref name="marlin-lic">{{Cite web |title=Marlin LICENSE file |url=https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin/blob/2.1.x/LICENSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260619170859/https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin/blob/2.1.x/LICENSE |archive-date=2026-06-19 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=MarlinFirmware (GitHub)}} Reproduces the GNU General Public License Version 3.</ref>

<ref name="klipper-lic">{{Cite web |title=Klipper COPYING file |url=https://github.com/Klipper3d/klipper/blob/master/COPYING |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260424183410/https://github.com/Klipper3d/klipper/blob/master/COPYING |archive-date=2026-04-24 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Klipper3d (GitHub)}} Reproduces the GNU General Public License Version 3.</ref>

<ref name="hackaday-marlin">{{Cite web |author=Tom Nardi |date=2018-08-27 |title=GPL Violations Cost Creality A US Distributor |url=https://hackaday.com/2018/08/27/gpl-violations-cost-creality-a-us-distributor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260526020512/https://hackaday.com/2018/08/27/gpl-violations-cost-creality-a-us-distributor/ |archive-date=2026-05-26 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Hackaday}} Reports that US distributor Printed Solid stopped selling Creality printers over unreleased Marlin (GPLv3) corresponding source on the CR-10 line.</ref>

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 A third concern is copyleft compliance. The slicer and firmware that drive most consumer printers are open-source projects under copyleft licenses. PrusaSlicer and Bambu Studio are released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPLv3), and the firmware projects Marlin and Klipper are released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3).<ref name="prusaslicer-lic" /><ref name="bambustudio-lic" /><ref name="marlin-lic" /><ref name="klipper-lic" /> GPLv3 Section 6 requires a distributor of a consumer product to provide the ''"Installation Information"'' needed to install and run a modified version of the covered software on that product, and AGPLv3 Section 13 requires that users interacting with modified software over a network be offered its source.<ref name="gpl3" /><ref name="agpl3" /> Those source-disclosure obligations have been enforced against printer makers: in August 2018 the US distributor Printed Solid stopped selling Creality machines over an unreleased Marlin source violation, and on May 18, 2026 the Software Freedom Conservancy alleged that Bambu Lab violated AGPLv3 by combining Bambu Studio with a proprietary library.<ref name="hackaday-marlin" /><ref name="sfc-bambu" /> A separate dispute over compiled binary modules on Creality's K1 and K2 printers is documented in the [[Creality K2 series GPLv3 violation]] article.
-Another concern is tracking and loss of privacy. Print&Go's "3D GUN'T" software to block printing firearm parts spells out this potential under "How does 3D GUN'T work?" <blockquote>3. Complete print traceability
+Another concern is tracking and loss of privacy. Print&Go's "3D GUN'T" software to block printing firearm parts spells out this potential under "How does 3D GUN'T work?" <blockquote><big>3. Complete print traceability</big>
-The system keeps a record of everything that's printed, including who printed it, what was printed, and even where they were when it was printed. If someone does manage to print a gun, the authorities will be able to '''identify and trace any instances''' of printing gun-related material.<ref name="printandgo" /></blockquote>While the system is aimed at tracking ''firearm'' parts, there is no regard given for any other possible use of 3D printers.
+The system keeps a record of everything that's printed, including who printed it, what was printed, and even where they were when it was printed. If someone does manage to print a gun, the authorities will be able to '''identify and trace any instances''' of printing gun-related material.<ref name="printandgo" /></blockquote>While the system is aimed at tracking ''firearm'' parts, there is no regard given for any other use of 3D printers.
 ==Court cases==
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 <ref name="prusaslicer-lic">{{Cite web |title=PrusaSlicer LICENSE file |url=https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/blob/master/LICENSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260520083703/https://github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/blob/master/LICENSE |archive-date=2026-05-20 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Prusa Research (GitHub)}} Identifies PrusaSlicer as licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.</ref>
 <ref name="bambustudio-lic">{{Cite web |title=BambuStudio LICENSE file |url=https://github.com/bambulab/BambuStudio/blob/master/LICENSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202095911/https://github.com/bambulab/BambuStudio/blob/master/LICENSE |archive-date=2025-12-02 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Bambu Lab (GitHub)}} Identifies bambulab/BambuStudio as licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.</ref>
-<ref name="marlin-lic">{{Cite web |url=https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin/blob/2.1.x/LICENSE |title=Marlin LICENSE file |publisher=MarlinFirmware (GitHub) |access-date=2026-06-02}} Reproduces the GNU General Public License Version 3.</ref>
+<ref name="marlin-lic">{{Cite web |title=Marlin LICENSE file |url=https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin/blob/2.1.x/LICENSE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260619170859/https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin/blob/2.1.x/LICENSE |archive-date=2026-06-19 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=MarlinFirmware (GitHub)}} Reproduces the GNU General Public License Version 3.</ref>
 <ref name="klipper-lic">{{Cite web |title=Klipper COPYING file |url=https://github.com/Klipper3d/klipper/blob/master/COPYING |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260424183410/https://github.com/Klipper3d/klipper/blob/master/COPYING |archive-date=2026-04-24 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Klipper3d (GitHub)}} Reproduces the GNU General Public License Version 3.</ref>
 <ref name="hackaday-marlin">{{Cite web |author=Tom Nardi |date=2018-08-27 |title=GPL Violations Cost Creality A US Distributor |url=https://hackaday.com/2018/08/27/gpl-violations-cost-creality-a-us-distributor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260526020512/https://hackaday.com/2018/08/27/gpl-violations-cost-creality-a-us-distributor/ |archive-date=2026-05-26 |access-date=2026-06-02 |publisher=Hackaday}} Reports that US distributor Printed Solid stopped selling Creality printers over unreleased Marlin (GPLv3) corresponding source on the CR-10 line.</ref>