Minarium Object Licensing Framework (v1.0)

Last updated: 23 June 2025

1. Purpose

This document establishes the set of licenses that creators can apply to digital 3D files (“Objects”) they upload and distribute through the Minarium marketplace. Its goals are to:

• Protect creator ownership and revenue
• Give buyers clear, simple rights for personal or commercial use
• Simplify enforcement through Minarium’s fingerprinting and (future) blockchain systems

The framework mirrors proven approaches on competing marketplaces while keeping terms concise and creator-friendly. MyMiniFactory

2. Key Definitions

Term	Meaning
Object	The digital 3D file and any previews delivered by the creator.
Print	A single, physical item produced from an Object.
Derivative	Any remix, kit-bash, or other modified version of an Object.
Creator	The rights-holder who uploads an Object to Minarium.
Buyer / End-User	The account that acquires an Object from Minarium.
Merchant	A buyer who holds an active Commercial Print License (Section 4).

3. License Menu (Select one per Object)

License	Default?	Permitted Uses	Prohibited Uses
Personal Use License (PUL)	✔	Download, make unlimited Prints for personal use only.	Share or resell the file, share or sell Prints, remix or distribute Derivatives, use in any paid project.
Commercial Print License (CPL)	✖	Everything in PUL plus sell up to 200 Prints per Object, per month.	Re-sell or share the file, exceed monthly cap without an upgrade, sell Derivatives without permission.
Creator Merchant License (CML)	✖	Unlimited Prints and Derivatives for commercial sale by a single business entity. Ideal for service bureaus.	Sub-license, transfer, or resell the digital file itself.
Remix-Friendly License (RFL)	✖	Personal or commercial use and permission to create and publish Derivatives under the same license with attribution.	Sell or share the original file unchanged; claim original work as your own.
Creative Commons Options	✖	CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (default CC option), CC BY 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0. Choose during upload for maximal openness.	Any use restricted by the selected CC variant (e.g., NC forbids commercial sale).

How to choose: During upload, the creator selects one license. The choice is displayed on the Object page and embedded in the STL/OBJ header. Standard Personal Use is the default if no selection is made.

4. Commercial Print Licensing

• Activation: Buyers upgrade from PUL to CPL or CML via Minarium’s licensing checkout.
• Royalties: Minarium automatically allocates the creator’s royalty on every commercial Print.
• Caps & Upgrades: Exceeding the CPL cap auto-prompts the Merchant to upgrade or renew.
• Fingerprints: All commercial files are watermarked with customer-specific geometry to deter leaks and trace infringement (see Minarium Fingerprinting Strategy).

These terms align with industry standards that prohibit sharing, sublicensing, or selling the digital file without an appropriate commercial agreement. Bambu Lab Community Forum

5. Attribution Requirements

• PUL / CPL: No public attribution required when displaying Prints privately.
• RFL & CC Licenses: Visible credit line: “Model by , licensed via Minarium.”
• Attribution must appear on product pages, packaging, or in-gallery descriptions when Prints are shown publicly or sold.

6. Prohibited Conduct (Applies to all licenses)

• Redistributing digital files on any platform or peer-to-peer channel.
• Mass-production via injection molding, casting, or similar methods without a separate contract.
• Removing or altering Minarium’s embedded fingerprints or metadata.
• AI training on the geometry without the creator’s explicit, written consent.
• Portraying the work as your own original design without attribution when required.

Violations may result in permanent account suspension, royalty claw-back, and legal action.

7. License Term & Revocation

• Licenses are perpetual for the specific version downloaded unless revoked under Section 6.
• Creators may re-license future versions under different terms, but existing buyers keep the rights granted at purchase (grandfathered).
• Minarium may revoke a license retroactively in cases of fraud, chargeback, or proven infringement of third-party IP.

8. Enforcement & Dispute Resolution

• Fingerprint Matching: Minarium audits marketplace listings and file-sharing sites for unauthorized copies using its three-layer fingerprinting system.
• Notice & Takedown: Suspected infringers receive a 72-hour compliance notice before escalated action.
• Arbitration: Disputes not resolved within 30 days are settled by binding arbitration under Iowa law.

9. Future Blockchain Add-On (planned)

When on-chain licensing launches, creators may opt to mint NFTs representing commercial rights. The smart contract will mirror the CPL and CML terms and automate royalty splits.

10. FAQ

Q: Can I print a file for a friend if I only have the Personal Use License?

A: No. Personal Use is strictly non-commercial and non-transferable. Printing for someone else counts as distribution.

Q: What if I modify the mesh?

A: You have created a Derivative. Unless your license is RFL or a compatible CC variant, you may not share or sell it without permission.

Q: Do I owe royalties on free giveaways?

A: If you hold a CPL and stay within the monthly cap, giveaways are allowed so long as you report units in your Merchant dashboard for royalty tracking.