ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the importance of discourse within Intellectual Property (IP) law generally to be able to engage creators and consumers of content. It provides a scheme for licensing, and the rationale for it, from the viewpoint of those in the 3D printing industry as evidenced by the empirical research. The chapter discusses the issue of technological convergence and the importance of that in light of the proposed technical licensing system. It analyzes the impact of such a system upon the levels of legal discourse. The chapter also discusses how such a system could be given Government support. It explores the critical moment is not the new, potential, threats of infringement that 3D printing brings but the challenge that will arise if digital technologies are used directly to tackle potential Internet piracy. IP protection provides a form of legal proprietary, sometimes monopolistic, boundary around certain subject matter.
