Estonian product protecting copyrights

Photo: TOOMAS HUIK/PM/SCANPIX BALTICS

To this day, authors of 3D-files may easily lose control over their creation, as those downloading the files may use these as they please – without any limits.

The ever-developing 3D printing technology serves fresh threats with new options: the income of many a designer and architect hangs on 3D files they have created; even so, there has not been a system available to keep these from falling into unintended hands. For that very purpose, however, the Tallinn-based Fabulonia has developed some software.

This July, Fabulonia completed a system which will allow secure sending and sharing of 3D-files in a way controlled by the author. The product was in development for a year and a half.

In cooperation with developers, a cloud and server based environment has been created through which 3D-files can be securely sent. Through the system, permission can be granted to definite 3D-printers to print out objects protected by copyright – but in a way that the owner of the printer will not lay hold of the file.  

This January, the company participated in Prototron Competition where start-ups had the chance to apply for grant to build prototypes. To Fabulonia, €9,560 was granted. The team also took part in the world’s largest mobile exhibition in Barcelona and won this year’s Latitude59 business ideas contest, being awarded with various services as a prize.

The secure data transmission idea was authored by Kimmo Isbjörnssund, from Finland. «I realised that it was a big problem in the 3D printing technology, currently. A designer sending his file into a 3D printer loses control over it. This is especially problematic for professional designers or architects, as this is their daily bread,» explained he.

Mr Isbjörnssund, a former employee at Nokia, has a background in marketing and innovation management. In 2012, he had the idea of creating copyright protection software. However, Mr Isbjörnssund is not into coding; therefore he had to begin by finding himself a team.

As a place for the start-up, he opted for Estonia rather than Finland, pointing to the lighter tax-load and easier bureaucracy. Also, in Estonia the development costs are a lot lower.

Seeking for the right people for his start-up, Mr Isbjörnssund met entrepreneurs Taavi Kikas and Anton Vedešin, at a start-up oriented event. Cooperation soon followed.

According to Mr Isbjörnssund, they have not involved any investors. «We have used the founders’ money only. All together, we have already used up some €100,000 already,» said he.

So far, Fabulonia has not sold their product to anybody; even so, negotiations are underway with companies from USA and Europe. The target group being architects bureaus and design companies using 3D printers in their everyday work.

To Mr Isbjörnssund’s knowledge, the company has no direct competitors. «There are a couple of start-ups working with the same problem; even so, we are the first who got our product and service ready. We were also the first to patent our idea,» said he.

The constantly evolving 3D printing technology has already been applied in various trades like medicine and the fashion industry.

Since 1984 when the fist 3D printer was built, the use of the technology has been the playground of companies; by now, however, 3D printers have also reached people’s homes. In USA and England, 3D printers are already on sale at technology stores; also, there are Internet stores where 3D files of ornaments, ceramics and toys may be downloaded, to be printed out at home.

Wide use of 3D-printing is held back by deficiencies in copyright protection. A 3D file uploaded to Internet may be downloaded hundreds of times, authors having no control over the situation. There is no 3D-files’ system allowing authors thereof to decide how many times items designed by them may be printed out.