3D Benchy Joins Public Domain

Nearly a month after models began getting removed from Printables, the beloved Benchy can now be legally remixed for the first time. Up until this change today, the model technically was listed under a Creative Commons 4.0 license, meaning remixes (changes) and redistribution were prohibited. Despite this distinction, many models still surfaced of edited Benchies. Popular model sharing websites and other platforms did not enforce the license, and allowed remixes to maintain on their websites and garner thousands of downloads.

This changed when NTI Group acquired the company who had previously owned the rights to the Benchy, Creative Tools. The model license was then enforced by Printables following this transition. Although reports have circulated to share the information that NTI Group did not initiate the change. As has been confirmed, the models began being removed after a 3rd party report not associated with NTI Group, according to their website.

Today, NTI Group has decided to release the model into the Public Domain, using a CC0 license. This eliminates penalties on derivatives and allows the world to use 3D Benchy freely and as they see fit. This step forward brings a solid resolution to a saga that involved many and confused users around the world. The problems surrounding the model further point out the challenges surrounding 3D Model Licensing every day. But today, Benchy has ‘right the ship,’ so to speak. Benchy can still be used and loved by many, and now, for the first time ever, users can really edit and repost it, with no fear of retribution.