MakerBot - Revision history

Andrew V: /* References */ fixed reference formatting

2026-03-17T00:31:43Z

References: fixed reference formatting

Andrew V: /* References */

2026-03-17T00:05:05Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:05, 17 March 2026
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	\|Website=https://makerbot.com/		\|Website=https://makerbot.com/
	}}		}}
	'''{{wplink\|MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink\|\|RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8 ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/ ~~Archived~~])</ref>		'''{{wplink\|MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink\|\|RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Clay \|first=Kelly \|title=3D Printing Company MakerBot Acquired In $604 Million Deal \|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/ \|archive-date=2025-10-04 \|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

	MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ ~~Archived~~])</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>		MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Zaleski \|first=Andrew \|date=2015-11-27 \|title=Why MakerBot and 3D Systems are Losing the Desktop 3D Market \|url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ \|archive-date=2017-10-27 \|website=[[FORTUNE]]}}</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pearson \|first=Jordan \|date=2015-04-17 \|title=MakerBot Just Laid Off 20 Percent of Its Staff \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ \|archive-date=2025-10-04 \|website=[[VICE]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=King \|first=Rachel \|date=2017-02-15 \|title=MakerBot Prepares for Another Round of Layoffs \|url=https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ \|archive-date=2017-07-02 \|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

	On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker Archived])</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.		On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker Archived])</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.
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	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==

	* '''User Freedom:''' MakerBot updated the Thingiverse terms of use to say that MakerBot owns everything submitted by users on Thingiverse. However, MakerBot later changed this so that users own what they submit to Thingiverse. MakerBot also stopped making open-source printers, and started making closed-source printers instead with proprietary hardware and software.		*'''User Freedom:''' MakerBot updated the Thingiverse terms of use to say that MakerBot owns everything submitted by users on Thingiverse. However, MakerBot later changed this so that users own what they submit to Thingiverse. MakerBot also stopped making open-source printers, and started making closed-source printers instead with proprietary hardware and software.
	* '''Market Control:''' MakerBot has extensive competition, with other brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], [[Creality]], and Prusa Research having more market share than MakerBot. Makerbot also merged with Ultimaker, and only the Sketch line of printers is under the MakerBot brand name.		*'''Market Control:''' MakerBot has extensive competition, with other brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], [[Creality]], and Prusa Research having more market share than MakerBot. Makerbot also merged with Ultimaker, and only the Sketch line of printers is under the MakerBot brand name.

	==Incidents==		==Incidents==

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 9 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T05:57:21Z

Added archive URLs for 9 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

Matt78: Added consumer-impact summary and see also section, removed products section.

2026-02-06T00:17:33Z

Added consumer-impact summary and see also section, removed products section.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 6 February 2026
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	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	~~{{Ph~~-C-~~CIS}}~~
			* '''User Freedom:''' MakerBot updated the Thingiverse terms of use to say that MakerBot owns everything submitted by users on Thingiverse. However, MakerBot later changed this so that users own what they submit to Thingiverse. MakerBot also stopped making open-source printers, and started making closed-source printers instead with proprietary hardware and software.
			* '''Market Control:''' MakerBot has extensive competition, with other brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], [[Creality]], and Prusa Research having more market share than MakerBot. Makerbot also merged with Ultimaker, and only the Sketch line of printers is under the MakerBot brand name.

	==Incidents==		==Incidents==
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	Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016</ref>		Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016</ref>

	==~~Products~~==		==See also==
	~~{{Ph-C-P}}~~		[[Bambu Lab]]

	~~==See also==~~		[[Creality]]
	~~{{Ph-C-SA}}~~

	==References==		==References==

SinexTitan: modernisation

2026-01-24T14:47:37Z

modernisation

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 24 January 2026
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	\|Website=https://makerbot.com/		\|Website=https://makerbot.com/
	}}		}}
	'''~~[[wikipedia:~~MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC]]''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the ~~[[wikipedia:RepRap~~\|RepRap]] project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>		'''{{wplink\|MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink\|\|RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>

	MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>		MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>

	On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.		On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.
	{{~~Clear~~}}
	==~~Controversies~~==~~<!-- add~~ a ~~preamble here~~ -->		==Consumer-impact summary==
	~~The~~ company ~~has been~~ involved in ~~a number of controversies dating as far back as 2012, spanning a variety of issues and subjects~~.		{{Ph-C-CIS}}
	{\| ~~class="wikitable"~~
	\|+		==Incidents==
	~~!Controversy~~
	~~!Year~~		This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}\|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
	~~!Background Info~~
	~~!Aftermath~~		===Ditching open-source (2012):===
	~~!Related Article~~		MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.
	~~!Related Video(s)~~
	\|-		===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===
	~~\|Switch to closed~~-source		MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service\|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>
	\|2012
	\|MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/</ref>		===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===
	\|The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.		MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/</ref>
	\|
	\|		===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===
	\|-		Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016</ref>
	\|Thingiverse terms of use
	\|2012		==Products==
	\|MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref>		{{Ph-C-P}}
	\|The ~~[[Terms of service\|~~terms of use]] in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>
	\|		==See also==
	\|-		{{Ph-C-SA}}
	\|Accusations of IP theft
	\|2014
	\|MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/</ref>
	\|MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/</ref>
	\|
	\|
	\|-
	\|Smart Extruder unreliability
	\|2015
	\|Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/</ref>
	\|The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016</ref>
	\|
	\|
	\|}

	==References==		==References==
	~~<references />~~		{{reflist}}
	~~<references group="Video References" />~~
	[[Category:MakerBot Industries]]		[[Category:MakerBot Industries]]
	[[Category:3D printer companies]]		[[Category:3D printer companies]]

Bythmusters: Cleaned up cargo and added category

2026-01-24T14:10:23Z

Cleaned up cargo and added category

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 24 January 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}
	{{CompanyCargo		{{CompanyCargo
	\| ~~Name~~ = ~~MakerBot~~		\|Description=American 3D printing company
	\| ~~Type~~ = ~~Subsidiary~~		\|Founded=2009
	\| ~~Founded~~ = ~~2009~~		\|Industry=3D printing
	\| ~~Industry~~ = ~~Technology~~		\|Logo=MakerBot_Logo.png
	\| Website = https://makerbot.com/		\|ParentCompany=Ultimaker
	~~\| Logo = MakerBot_Logo.png~~		\|Type=Subsidiary
			\|Website=https://makerbot.com/
	}}'''[[wikipedia:MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC]]''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the [[wikipedia:RepRap\|RepRap]] project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>		}}
			'''[[wikipedia:MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC]]''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the [[wikipedia:RepRap\|RepRap]] project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>

	MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>		MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>
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	<references group="Video References" />		<references group="Video References" />
	[[Category:MakerBot Industries]]		[[Category:MakerBot Industries]]
			[[Category:3D printer companies]]

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: convert to cargo

2026-01-14T07:03:23Z

convert to cargo

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:03, 14 January 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}{{~~clear}}{{InfoboxCompany~~		{{StubNotice}}
			{{CompanyCargo
	\| Name = MakerBot		\| Name = MakerBot
	\| Type = Subsidiary		\| Type = Subsidiary
	\| Founded = 2009		\| Founded = 2009
	\| Industry = Technology		\| Industry = Technology
	\| ~~Official~~ Website = https://makerbot.com/		\| Website = https://makerbot.com/
	\| Logo = MakerBot_Logo.png		\| Logo = MakerBot_Logo.png

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: Removed red link.

2025-08-28T15:12:00Z

Removed red link.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:12, 28 August 2025
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	\| Logo = MakerBot_Logo.png		\| Logo = MakerBot_Logo.png

	}}'''[[wikipedia:MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC]]''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the [[wikipedia:RepRap\|RepRap]] project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by [[Stratasys]] in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>		}}'''[[wikipedia:MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC]]''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the [[wikipedia:RepRap\|RepRap]] project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>

	MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>		MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>

ThunderArtist: /* Controversies */ [At Thingiverse terms of use-Aftermath] Changed the "terms of use" text to lead to a wiki article instead of the source. The source is still linked in the citation.

2025-08-16T10:47:02Z

Controversies: [At Thingiverse terms of use-Aftermath] Changed the "terms of use" text to lead to a wiki article instead of the source. The source is still linked in the citation.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:47, 16 August 2025
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	\|2012		\|2012
	\|MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref>		\|MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref>
	\|The [~~https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-~~of~~-use/~~ terms of use] in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>		\|The [[Terms of service\|terms of use]] in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-

ThunderArtist: /* Controversies */ Updated the "Afermath" section of "Thingiverse terms of use" to include the changed terms that are currently active.

2025-08-16T10:19:22Z

Controversies: Updated the "Afermath" section of "Thingiverse terms of use" to include the changed terms that are currently active.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:19, 16 August 2025
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	\|2012		\|2012
	\|MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref>		\|MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref>
	\|~~Ongoing~~, ~~even after the absorption~~ of MakerBot ~~by Ultimaker~~ in ~~2022~~.		\|The [https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ terms of use] in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:31, 17 March 2026
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	MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Zaleski \|first=Andrew \|date=2015-11-27 \|title=Why MakerBot and 3D Systems are Losing the Desktop 3D Market \|url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ \|archive-date=2017-10-27 \|website=[[FORTUNE]]}}</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pearson \|first=Jordan \|date=2015-04-17 \|title=MakerBot Just Laid Off 20 Percent of Its Staff \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ \|archive-date=2025-10-04 \|website=[[VICE]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=King \|first=Rachel \|date=2017-02-15 \|title=MakerBot Prepares for Another Round of Layoffs \|url=https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ \|archive-date=2017-07-02 \|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>		MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Zaleski \|first=Andrew \|date=2015-11-27 \|title=Why MakerBot and 3D Systems are Losing the Desktop 3D Market \|url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/ \|archive-date=2017-10-27 \|website=[[FORTUNE]]}}</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pearson \|first=Jordan \|date=2015-04-17 \|title=MakerBot Just Laid Off 20 Percent of Its Staff \|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ \|archive-date=2025-10-04 \|website=[[VICE]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=King \|first=Rachel \|date=2017-02-15 \|title=MakerBot Prepares for Another Round of Layoffs \|url=https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/ \|archive-date=2017-07-02 \|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

	On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker ~~Archived~~])</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.		On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2022-09-13 \|title=Stratasys Completes Merger of MakerBot With Ultimaker \|url=https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker \|archive-date=2025-12-21 \|website=[[Stratasys]]}}</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.

	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
Line 25:		Line 25:

	===Ditching open-source (2012):===		===Ditching open-source (2012):===
	MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20260124092943/https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ ~~Archived~~])</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.		MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Brown \|first=Rich \|date=2012-09-27 \|title=Pulling back from open source hardware, MakerBot angers some adherents \|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260124092943/https://www.cnet.com/web/20260124092943/https:/www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ \|archive-date=2026-01-24 \|website=[[CNET]]}}</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.

	===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===		===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===
	MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service\|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251008101056/https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ ~~Archived~~])</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>		MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service\|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Benchoff \|first=Brian \|date=2012-09-20 \|title=Makerbot, Occupy Thingiverse, And The Reality Of Selling Open Hardware \|url=https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008101056/https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ \|archive-date=2025-10-08 \|website=[[Hackaday]]}}</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>

	===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===		===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===
	MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251111041317/https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ ~~Archived~~])</ref>		MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Molitch-Hou \|first=Michael \|date=2014-05-28 \|title=Has MakerBot Become TakerBot? \|url=http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/ \|archive-date=2016-05-01 \|website=[[3D Printing Industry]]}}</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Biggs \|first=John \|date=2014-05-28 \|title=MakerBot Responds To Critics Who Claim It Is Stealing Community IP \|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111041317/https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ \|archive-date=2025-11-11 \|website=[[TechCrunch]]}}</ref>

	===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===		===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===
	Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251210235308/https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ ~~Archived~~])</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ ~~([http~~://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ ~~Archived~~])</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251112144433/https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 Archived])</ref>		Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Stultz \|first=Matt \|date=2015-07-14 \|title=MakerBot Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Faulty Extruders \|url=https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210235308/https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ \|archive-date=2025-12-10 \|website=[[Make:]]}}</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hall \|first=Nick \|date=2016-07-12 \|title=Class action lawsuit against MakerBot dismissed \|url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ \|archive-date=2025-10-04 \|website=[[3D Printing Industry]]}}</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Robertson \|first=Adi \|date=2016-01-04 \|title=MakerBot is replacing its most ill-fated 3D printing product \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 \|url-status=live \|website=[[The Verge]]}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251112144433/https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 Archived])</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:57, 23 February 2026
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	\|Website=https://makerbot.com/		\|Website=https://makerbot.com/
	}}		}}
	'''{{wplink\|MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink\|\|RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>		'''{{wplink\|MakerBot\|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink\|\|RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/ Archived])</ref>

	MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>		MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/ Archived])</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>

	On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.		On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251221201519/https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker Archived])</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.

	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
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	===Ditching open-source (2012):===		===Ditching open-source (2012):===
	MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.		MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260124092943/https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/ Archived])</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.

	===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===		===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===
	MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service\|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>		MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service\|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251008101056/https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/ Archived])</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-01-03 \|title=Terms of Use - MakerBot \|url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ \|archive-date=2023-10-26 \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=[[MakerBot]] \|at=3.1 \|language=English \|quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>

	===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===		===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===
	MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/</ref>		MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251111041317/https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/ Archived])</ref>

	===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===		===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===
	Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016</ref>		Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251210235308/https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/ Archived])</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251004104042/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/ Archived])</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251112144433/https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016 Archived])</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==