At the beginning of this year we wrote about expiring 3D printing patents. Yes, several early 3D printing patents have expired or are expiring. So what? Contrary to the legions of writers who predict otherwise, such patent expirations are unlikely…

I.          Background   3D printing is a 30-year old technology that is currently entering the mainstream, to great fanfare. Despite the 3D printing industry’s double-digit (%) growth over the past year, the use of 3D printers has not yet become…