Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
The person being interviewed says they are selling the shields for $40 each is this permitted? time signature 1:40
Best Answer by bobstro:
I'm active in a local Masks for Docs effort. Someone posted an effusive article about a local company that is selling 40,000 face shields that are little more than a piece of clear transparency held on the user's head with a band and pressing up against their nose. This as we struggle to push out free proper shields at our own expense. I'm burning off my 6th spool of PETG now with 3 more available until I get a refresh of 15 spools Tuesday. Another guy and I are buying transparencies and elastic. This in the sincere hope that by the time things get bad, commercial at-scale manufacturing will have stepped in and rendered all of our efforts unnecessary. We are all hoping our prints never have to be used, but we are preparing.
According to the design licensing, they may be allowed to recoup expenses, but should not be profiting. Unfortunately, there are many free/unlicensed designs about that the unscrupulous companies can sell at will. $40 seems excessive. Their "reusability" claim is ridiculous. I'm understanding this is Shapeways selling them. I'm hoping they're using medical-grade materials that actually cost them close to $40.
RE: Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
@joantabb
Joan, did you even watch the video clip?
Did you read the part of my question "The person being interviewed" <<< Note this person DOES NOT WORK for CNN. Your bias is clouding your ability to ANSWER the question. So if you are able to answer my question that would be appreciated. If you want to continue to berate a news organization please go do that on your Facebook Feed.
RE: Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
It's a simple question ... Is selling the Prusa designed face shields for $40.00 each acceptable?
RE: Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
Licence and selling of face shields
We share these files under >>>non-commercial licence.<<< It would be great if you donated these shields to those in need for free. If you need to cover your production costs, we are ok with you selling the shields for production cost. However, we do not want to see these shields on eBay for $50.
Can I sell the shields?
Well, we won’t stop you, but it goes against the general idea of providing important protection equipment for free to those who need it the most: people in service who face the threat of COVID-19 on a daily basis while trying to help as many people as possible. Donating the shields for free also means a much faster (and direct) delivery - they won’t have to go through a purchase approval process normally required by the hospital management, which would waste precious time. If you need to recoup the costs of production, we recommend you consider a donation system.
OK, a bit of research on the Prusa website yields the above information. But my question still remains is $40.00 each an acceptable "production" cost? I believe the shields can be produced for less than $5.00 each in material costs.
I agree that IF a hospital can pay for these and it provides much-needed protection it's "worth" the money. I'm just more curious if people think $40.00 is an acceptable fee for the shields.
RE: Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
I'm active in a local Masks for Docs effort. Someone posted an effusive article about a local company that is selling 40,000 face shields that are little more than a piece of clear transparency held on the user's head with a band and pressing up against their nose. This as we struggle to push out free proper shields at our own expense. I'm burning off my 6th spool of PETG now with 3 more available until I get a refresh of 15 spools Tuesday. Another guy and I are buying transparencies and elastic. This in the sincere hope that by the time things get bad, commercial at-scale manufacturing will have stepped in and rendered all of our efforts unnecessary. We are all hoping our prints never have to be used, but we are preparing.
According to the design licensing, they may be allowed to recoup expenses, but should not be profiting. Unfortunately, there are many free/unlicensed designs about that the unscrupulous companies can sell at will. $40 seems excessive. Their "reusability" claim is ridiculous. I'm understanding this is Shapeways selling them. I'm hoping they're using medical-grade materials that actually cost them close to $40.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
@bobstro
Thanks, I had not thought about the "Medical-Grade" I'm making a few of these for my wife's physical therapy clinic for free. so when I saw the article/video I was surprised to hear the person state that they are selling them for $40.00 each. I guess more shocked.
RE: Profiting from the Prusa Face Shield?
@joantabb
Joan
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate people who do the right thing for the right reason. I've had my own businesses for nearly 20 years now and I teach at the U of M to give back to students some of the "hard" lessons I've learned over those many years. To be honest I was aghast that this company was taking a "free" design and selling them for what seems like an exorbitant price. If this had been your first response we would have gotten off to a better start. I'm all for each person having their own opinions I just wish that was not so "in your face" all the time. the question was related to 3d printing, Prusa face shields, and selling them... The organization that posted the interview should not have been the primary focus of your initial reply. I hope you understand my frustration when you turned my question into an opportunity to Knock a certain news organization.