3D printing, often called additive manufacturing, is a process where high-tech machines build parts from ultra-thin layers of plastic, metal or other materials to create unique or customized products faster and easier than traditional manufacturing techniques. This technology will revolutionize the manufacturing industry. 3D printing will provide manufacturers with new ways to test and produce their products, resulting in significant efficiencies and cost-savings.
Attorneys at Ice Miller have earned in-depth industry knowledge and experience in 3D printing, enabling them to anticipate legal issues and needs and to provide proactive advice tailored to current additive manufacturing trends and challenges. Our understanding of the additive manufacturing industry is deep and diverse. Our team serves as legal counsel to industry leading additive manufacturing companies and recent joint ventures. We serve as advisors and counselors to 3D printing think-tanks and we also own and use 3D printers.
Our insights enable us to provide:
-
Risk management mechanisms that minimize potential liability, shift responsibility away from the client, and otherwise balance the relative stakes of the participants in the 3D printing project.
-
Creative solutions for the often overwhelming intellectual property challenges faced in this arena.
-
Preemptive advice on regulatory issues associated with import/export, defense related articles, and other governmental requirements.
-
Guidance on the corporate nuances associated with affiliating with partners, devising innovative business models and relationships that maximize return on our clients’ investments in capital equipment and research and development.
-
Capital raising and other growth planning options.
These creative solutions are also evident in our fee arrangements, which promote cost and budgeting predictability so you can focus more on your business with less worry about unanticipated legal expenses.