Can you sell limited use 3d print model files?

[Anonymous]

Hey there customers are finding Shapeways expensive and I was wondering if there was a way to sell limited use 3d print model files?

ie is there a way where customers can download your file but only use it say once on their choice of 3d printer?

I guess I want to avoid people ripping off my file and giving it to anyone or selling it themselves?

example of one such print is here:

thanks in advance

[bioclone_ax45]

As long as I know, you cant prevent people using one copy to print it unlimited amount... even if there is a chance you could do it legally, people still will do whatever they want just like GOG games on torrent (because no DRM)

However, I suppose you can have the original file and upload it on some site that serves as a proof that is your design. Make sure to keep your master 3Ds max file, the FTL files used for 3d printing, are not modificable as long as I know, so if you would be able to find somebody selling your stuff it should be easy to use the main file and the dates seen on your upload on any page (that should count that it was uploaded first by you) should be enough to be used as "proof" that is, in fact your file/design.

The only way I see chances to prevent this would be some kind of system such SVN tortoise, or similar, that works similar to google drive, mostly like some kind of virtual folder that gets updated on real time, so the moment you decide to "stop" sharing the file, all other users local folder will lost said file (however, still there is a chance to make copies previously)