3DBenchy, the popular 3D printing test and benchmark model, has been released into the public domain by its owner, the NTI Group.
This follows the removal of many derived models from Prusa’s Printables website to adhere to the ‘no derivatives’ license, which had caused controversy in the 3D printing community.
NTI Group worked with the original creator of 3DBenchy, Daniel Norée, and former Creative Tools CEO Paulo Kiefe to transition the model and associated website to the public domain, with Norée and Kiefe taking control of the website and social media accounts.
Many users are celebrating the move, although some are questioning whether public domain is the most beneficial license for the model, suggesting a more permissive license might have been more appropriate.
Some also highlighted that the original purpose of 3DBenchy was not always supported by the license, pointing out that the AUTODESK collective had blocked creatives from 3D printing the boat solely for the purpose of testing and calibration, even though it was a popular and well-known practice.
