The Pirate Bay now offers a way to download 3D objects
[Philip Lelyveld opinion: this is why any discussion of SOPA, IP, piracy, and new business models must take physical objects and patents into account. Physical objects will become just the physical manifestation of digital files, just as movies are the a/v manifestation of digital files, in the very near future.]
The Pirate Bay can now give you torrent files used by 3D printers, which “print” physical objects, which can be made from a variety of materials including ceramics, plastics, silver, steel and glass. While most “prints” are nothing more than simple toys or sculptures, a few designs have already begun exploring a new way to create jewelry, gears and even iPhone cases. And The Pirate Bay expects these designs only to grow in diversity and scope, helping society in ways that will be as disruptive as the first phone lines:
We believe that in the nearby future you will print your spare parts for your vehicles. You will download your sneakers within 20 years. The benefit to society is huge. No more shipping huge amount of products around the world. No more shipping the broken products back. No more child labor. We’ll be able to print food for hungry people. We’ll be able to share not only a recipe, but the full meal. We’ll be able to actually copy that floppy, if we needed one.”
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