I am getting close to releasing some prints and was considering licensing.
When I looked at MakerWorld, a lot of items are set to Standard Digital File License, which seems to not allow people to print something for free for a friend or family member.
Do people that set that license actually not want people to 3D print their designs for anybody other then themselves, or is the expectation that people will do it anyway and the license is made for protection in case of abuse?
I doubt that’s the intention. It’s meant more so against people taking the file and printing it for commercial purposes, or doing other things beyond just the straight forward printing of the object for personal use. I would consider personal use to also cover printing a gift for a friend.
I would not consider personal use, printing and then selling those prints at a family gathering.
But then again, who would even know… unless billy’s gonna be a little snitch 
Haha, but again, I think the language is meant more towards people that more blatantly would try and use it for commercial use, or for like posting to other platforms for their own gains, be it points or fame. I think there’s a reasonable expectation that people should be fine printing an object for their friend/family/loved one, regardless of the license.
But doesn’t the licences that allow sharing but not commercial sales already cover those scenarios?
I can see an advantage to the standard digital license that if a person is selling it, but it is too hard to prove they are selling it, they can be targeted for sharing it instead.
I just wonder if the more honest people on the other end of the scale might not print it for friends and family because they are worried about the licence. Limiting the reach of the product
You’ll get the best answers from an actual lawyer who knows copyright law.
Anything anyone here tells you could be anywhere from absolutely accurate to absolutely false. Plus interpretation may differ depending on the jurisdiction you’re in.
I tend to follow how Josh said it but legally, it’s hard to say.
No, it’s a different aspect you’re sharing. The license is talking about sharing the actual 3d file. Like if someone wanted to distribute a CD full of 3d models. If you 3d printed a model though and gave that to someone, that’s different.
I don’t think a license could restrict you as such, as to say that the model printed from the 3d file can only be for your own use, and that you can’t even give it to someone.
I think the gray areas would be more like, if you’re getting rid of your old junk with a garage sale and decided to sell it there. You didn’t produce it for commercial purposes after all? How does that fit into things like the first sale doctrine if you were one that bought the model on etsy, or if someone gave it to you?
This. I mean. There’s a lot of areas to trip up when it comes to this topic and we all have or own interpretations and readings, especially as we’re not all English, so how we understand words can be different and lead us to different conclusions.
Don’t feel like paying for a lawyer, so I checked with ChatGPT and Gemini to see what they would say. When I asked about the Standard Digital File License without specifying any definitions from 3D printing websites, both thought that printing for family and friends would be acceptable as long the people weren’t charged, but may not be allowed if done in excess. Printing it and giving it for free to promote yourself or company would not be acceptable. When I gave them these definitions from a few sites including Makerworld. They both said that printing for family and friends would be restricted unless the maker added a clause to their page explicitly allowing it.
Digital files sold on MyMiniFactory through the digital file store have a strict non-commercial, personal use only license. You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, collect fees, or receive any form of remuneration. The Standard Digital File Store License overrides any other licensing option on this page (in particular: no remixing and no commercial use allowed).
All the digital files sold on TheMechNinja.com through the Products Page are strictly non-commercial, personal use license only. You are not allowed in any way to share, remix, sell, host, transfer or distribute the digital file, or the 3D printed version of the file, or any derivative work in digital or physical format (including – but not limited to – remixing of the file and hosting on any other platforms). The files may not be used in any way in which you charge money, fees, or any type of remuneration. The Standard Digital File License overrides any other licensing option on this page (in particular: no remixing and no commercial use is allowed)
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.