3D打印冲击下专利间接侵权制度研究

近20多年来,3D打印技术的迅猛发展及其打印成本的不断下降,使其渐渐开始融入到人们的日常生活之中。在网络时代背景下,3D数据文件作为侵权客体的"关键部件",能够通过网络共享迅速地传播,将给现有的专利侵权制度带来一场变革。3D打印模式下专利侵权呈现出"版权化"趋势,使现有专利侵权制度中共同侵权的实用性严重"萎缩",而借鉴帮助侵权、代位侵权也并非长远之计。所以,面对专利侵权"新模式",归根结底还是专利间接侵权制度的构建问题。与此同时,借鉴美国《数字千年版权法》也是应对冲击的策略之一。

3-D Printing Implications of Patent Indirect Infringement

Over the past 20 years, fast developments within the 3-D printing technology has led to a dramatic decrease in its cost, which has led the technology quickly become a common part of our life. With the vast dissemination of PC and the internet background, digital 3-D files, as essential means of patent-infringing actions, are made to spread through internet sharing, and cause a revolution towards the current patent regime. 3-D printing has caused a ＂copyright-like＂ mode of patent infringement, which substantially reduces the applicability of joint infringement, while contributory infringement and vicarious infringement could not be considered the best options for regulating the said problem. Therefore, as the new mode of patent infringement arises, it is the introduction of indirect infringement regime that needs consideration after all. Meanwhile, using DMCA of the United States is also an option to sort out the new threat to the patent system.