05 Feb How to Prepare For a 3-D Printed Footwear Industry
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) anticipates 3-D printing will be the industry standard in 15 to 20 years. The process is being touted as a gateway to faster and more innovative product, but it will also bring with it a host of unanswered legal questions.
The FDRA discussed the future of 3-D printing and the inherent intellectual property issues in a webinar with partners of the Husch Blackwell litigation firm and Natacha Alpert, the lead of innovation at Caleres.
A primary concern with 3-D printing in the footwear industry is the possibility for patent infringement if a company has a patent on a particular shoe, explained Brandan Mueller, partner at Husch Blackwell.