Fig. 1 from patent no. 8,286,236

Apparently the advent of 3D printing technology is scary enough that before we're even able to print out a new pair of shoes, patent trolls Intellectual Ventures have secured a patent that might prevent the use of 3D printing technology for making really fun stuff like cars, or zeppelins.

MIT's Technology Review blog has taken a look at the patent and finds that it is a weirdly comprehensive attempt to enforce digital rights management (DRM) for items no one ever knew might need such protection:

The patent isn't limited to 3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. It also covers using digital files in extrusion, ejection, stamping, die casting, printing, painting, and tattooing and with materials that include "skin, textiles, edible substances, paper, and silicon printing."

As the MIT blog points out, Intellectual Ventures, which is run by Microsoft's former Chief Technical Officer Nathan Myhrvold, couldn't have better timing, since MakerBot has already opened their magical, SoHo-based "real-life portal" for people ready to jump into the brave new world of 3D printing.

If Mr. Myhrvold and his company have their way, a trip to the Nolita MakerBot to get a shiny new skin may be out of the question.

In a statement at the company blog, president and publisher Tom Doherty tipped his hat explicitly to future-enthused fans and authors:

They’re a technically sophisticated bunch, and DRM is a constant annoyance to them. It prevents them from using legitimately-purchased e-books in perfectly legal ways, like moving them from one kind of e-reader to another.

Of course, this is a trend that’s been gathering steam in the more technologically adventurous quarters of the publishing industry for some time. O’Reilly Media, Harlequin’s digital-only Carina Press, and Harry-Potter-fan-paradise-cum-ebookstore Pottermore all offer DRM-free downloads. But as long as the Big Six embraced the technology, it wasn’t going anywhere.

The Tor/Forge move is just the latest sign they're starting to shift, however. PaidContent draws attention to comments from industry vet Mike Shatzkin:

I heard a rumor from a very reliable source that two of the Big Six are considering going to DRM-free very soon. The rumor is from the UK side, but it is hard to see a global company doing this in a market silo. Another industry listener I know was hearing similar rumors from different sources.

Earlier this morning, PaidContent even featured a long letter from an anonymous publishing exec who actually breaks the DRM on his own ebooks. He said:

I don’t think DRM is good for the publisher, author or customer. Don’t pro-DRM publishers realize this is one of the key complaints from their customers? I’ve heard plenty of customers tell me that e-book prices need to be low because they’re only buying access to the content, not fully owning it. That needs to change.

Macmillan CEO John Sargent, is that you?