Stop leaving yourself vulnerable to data breaches and brokers. Go to my sponsor
https://aura.com/zackfreedman to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has
been exposed.
My partner Aura just launched their new "Are you smarter than a scammer?" quiz.
Take the quiz and see if you’re as savvy as you think: https://bit.ly/aurasts
Special thanks to Colorado IP lawyer Peter Lemire for context about copyrights and contracts. Get a free consultation: https://www.coloradoiplaw.com/
Get a sneak peek at my next massive project: https://www.patreon.com/posts/sneak-peek-121331625?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Who's forcing Prusa Research to delete every 3D Benchy on Printables? Is NTI Group sending legal mercenaries to threaten them? Are the creators finally enforcing their anti-creator license? Is this the end for the world's most popular 3D print?
No. Of course not. The answer is far more ridiculous.
NTI GROUP: Sell me the Benchy! Email address is in my About page 👆
Support future videos: https://patreon.com/zackfreedman
Meet other makers: https://discord.gg/voidstarlab
SPECIAL NOTE:
I usually provide links and credits for every 3D model I feature, but time I'm not. Most of these creators have no idea this is happening, and I don't want to unexpectedly draw more people into the fight. If your Benchy was featured in this episode and you'd like me to credit you, please leave a comment or contact me on Discord.
SELECTED SOURCES:
Reddit thread that started it all: https://www.reddit.com/r/cursedbenchies/comments/1hwj1t5/public_service_announcement_a_benchy_ip_war_is/
Daniel Noree laments the Benchy's current state: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/danielnoree_a-piece-of-3dprinting-history-just-faded-activity-7282680313879683072-FCET
A Brief History of the Benchy by Daniel Noree: https://www.stemfie.org/?view=article&id=186:a-brief-story-about-the-origins-of-the-3dbenchy-boat-8-years-old&catid=13
All3DP's interview with Paolo Kiefe: https://all3dp.com/3dbenchy-interview-with-paulo-kiefe/
3DBenchy.com archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20150411221839/http://www.3dbenchy.com/
Archived Benchy brochure: https://web.archive.org/web/20241214064935/https://www.3dbenchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/3DBenchy_Broschure_3DBenchy.com_.pdf
Final Creative Tools archive before sale to NTI: https://web.archive.org/web/20241001153450/https://www.creativetools.se/
Creative Tools company profile: https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/288187-03#overview
Prusa forum post about very loose derivatives: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/english-forum-general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/is-it-a-remix-when-i-modeled-it-myself-and-changed-the-design/
COVERAGE I MADE FUN OF:
"The Truth About the Benchy Boycott" by YGK3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkWhbcUtT-U
Hackaday (they edited the article) https://hackaday.com/2025/01/09/3dbenchy-starts-enforcing-its-no-derivatives-license/
"3D Benchy is Sinking itself. The Death of the 3D Benchy" by 3D Printing Professor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6bI1m0wRis
TIMETABLE:
00:00 Intro
03:36 What is a Benchy?
06:18 Are Benchy derivatives illegal?
08:23 Printables and Maker Joe
09:58 DMCA and Copyright Takedowns
12:58 It Can't Be Copyright
20:28 The Benchy Contract
23:41 Section 230 and Legal Immunity
26:20 Who's Deleting the Benchies?
29:36 OPEN LETTER TO THE NTI GROUP
31:34 Patron Thanks
CREDITS:
Pic of Dan and Paolo by Daniel Noree: https://danielnoree.com/leaving-for-the-usa-the-midwest-reprap-festival/
Jouw partner voor Autodesk-software en NTI-oplossingen (NTI sizzle reel) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ0tQuTPkkM
"Sealand is waiting for you!" by Sealand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXSSGXTRFbI
"Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney" by Capcom
Faux Phoenix Wright courtroom scenes from https://objection.lol
"Heart" by Ehrling (CC-BY track)
Interference SFX: Partners in Rhyme
Other SFX: www.zapsplat.com
Awful, awful stock footage: https://storyblocks.com
"new world's fastest benchy 1:53" by Kirapatka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_1ZQrLOWmo
"Twenty Years of Creative Commons" by Creative Commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/creativecommons/52543574218/