Honda takes action against 3D printing of Spare Parts

Early automakers seem to have realized that 3D printing could become a problem for their good spare parts sales revenue. Recently, numerous Honda vehicle print templates have disappeared from the relevant platforms. An editor of Auto Magazine The drive recently noted that there were suddenly no more print files for parts intended for his Honda Accord on the printables platform.

Shortly after, reports started coming in from users who had similar experiences on other platforms. “I can confirm that we have received a letter from a lawyer representing Honda stating that we must remove all listings related to Honda,” a spokesperson for Prusa, the printables operator, said. Accordingly, the automotive group alleges infringements of its trademark and patent rights.

Everything has to go

It was also unofficially learned from Pruse employees that Honda had received a fairly comprehensive document describing all the print files to be removed. These weren’t just the logos that directly referenced the brand or even contained company logos. The letter therefore also stated the shapes and dimensions of certain objects, such as the cap of the windshield washer fluid tank.

The car manufacturer would probably not be right in all cases, as there is probably no trademark infringement. However, such a general blow is by no means surprising. After all, the car companies often collect handsome sums for even the simplest spare parts and it would be a noticeable loss if these could then be reprinted on a larger scale by the consumer themselves.