I had started with 3D printing in July 2024. First I started with just printing models from the makers. But then I had started to design models by myself. The question came up if I should share models with the community. And for me this was obvious: For sure I did. In general there are several licenses existing and
✖ NO: Sharing without ATTRIBUTION
✖ NO: Remix Culture allowed
✖ NO: Commercial Use
✖ NO: Free Cultural Works
✖ NO: Meets Open Definition
I decided to choose a closed license, but make models free available for everyone. Why did I made this decision? For my models I’m investigating a massive time effort. That’s my decision to spent my time and it is also my decision to have full control, how I share models with the community. As soon I’m opening my designs to remix it, share it, etc. others will make use of my effort to high-light themselves without having the control from my side. This happens for example at YouTube for some influencers who are stealing the show. For me it is not about to be influencer or to make a show out of it. I’m also not ok others are doing that for me without any tribute for my effort! In the meanwhile, it is possible to make money with the Maker-platforms. You can earn points also for free of-charge models by downloads, likes and prints which can be exchanged into vouchers for filament, printer parts, etc.
For me it was never the plan to earn money, but if points are helping me to get some filament for free or replacement parts for my printer, so I can verify and improve my models, that’s ok for me. As countermove the community is having the profit in optimised models for free. So if I’m using vouchers, I will use it to 100% for the community!