3D printing technology as a trigger for the fourth industrial revolution: new challenges to the legal system

Introduction: recent rapid developments in technology suggest the arrival of a new technological revolution, ‘the Fourth Industrial Revolution’. One of the main drivers of this revolution is 3D printing technology, which transforms social existence and changes the vision of human capabilities and limits. This technology poses serious challenges to the legal system, which lags behind scientific and technological progress in its evolution. Law makers and law enforcers will soon have to answer the questions put by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Purpose: to identify and analyze the key challenges posed by 3D printing technology to the Russian civil law in the upcoming era of ‘techno-determinism’; based on the analysis made, to formulate conclusions aimed at improving the current legislation and its practical application. Methods: dialectical, formal logic, functional and other general scientific research methods, as well as special juridical methods: comparative legal and formal legal. Results: the article considers the main civil problems caused by the development of 3D printing technology, in particular: quality assurance and ensuring safety of products manufactured using 3D printing technology, including foods; ensuring compensation for massive harm when the tortfeasor is unidentifiable; patent law digitalization; changes in information intermediaries’ liability standards. Conclusions: the problems of safety and labeling of food products manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology should be addressed in a similar way to genetically modified foods. In foreign civil law, effective tools have already been developed to ensure equitable compensation for harm in situations involving its massive infliction to the public at large, when the tortfeasor identity is unknown (or there are many potential tortfeasors). The model of alternative liability (causation) can be used in the future when harm is caused by goods manufactured using 3D printing technology. It is necessary to establish liability in solidum both with regard to persons who have manufactured the final product with hazardous properties using 3D printing technology, and those who have manufactured the appropriate components for printing, which have predetermined the final product properties hazardous to consumers health. The scope of patent protection needs to be revised, since the exclusive right to an invention, utility model or industrial design shall be extended to their implementation in the form of a three-dimensional digital model. Creation of a digital model in itself shall be considered to be a use of the object of patent law. Overall liability for proactive monitoring of downloadable content to prevent placement of counterfeit 3D digital models shall be imposed on information intermediaries. It is advisable to construct a strict (no-fault) standard of information intermediaries’ liability for the placed content.