Is 3D printing the next litigation frontier?

Litigation over 3D printing will become increasingly more prevalent as the technology becomes less expensive to build due to rising demand, some lawyers say. A federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., heard arguments in a trademark and trade dress infringement case involving a car product replicated using 3D printer technology. Defendant Jerrit Askvig is accused of manufacturing, distributing, marketing and selling an infringing product. The dispute involves Velossa Tech’s BIG MOUTH ram-air intake, which is a product of the fiercely competitive after-market automobile parts and modification industry. Velossa, which is based in Hollywood, Florida, indicated in the complaint that it has two federal trademark registrations for the product and exclusive use of the BIG MOUTH mark and the Velossa Tech Trade Dress.