Can you legally print a spare part?

Reproduction depends on the rights in the particular part. The repair clause concerns certain design rights; it is not a general licence to copy parts and does not override patents. We do not reproduce logos. If rights are unclear, we clarify the basis before work starts.

What the repair clause covers

A part’s appearance can be protected by a design right. Protection of appearance, a patent on a technical solution and rights in a CAD file are separate issues.

Article 20a of the EU design rules provides an exception for an appearance-dependent component of a complex product used solely to repair that product and restore its original appearance. It also includes requirements concerning identification of commercial origin and supplier diligence. This is not a general licence to copy parts.

Sources: Regulation (EU) 2024/2822 and EUIPO’s reform summary, Article 20a section.

Removing a logo does not determine whether the geometry of a particular part may be reproduced.

Where exactly does the boundary run

The following rules describe how our workshop accepts orders.

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  Assessment before work: we ask about the part’s intended use and the basis for using its model or documentation. A clip, guide or knob is not automatically exempt from protection because it is used for repair.
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  Markings: we do not reproduce manufacturers’ logos or sell our parts as originals.
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  Changes to appearance: a visual variant does not automatically qualify for the exception for restoring original appearance.
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  The clause concerns the design, not the patent and not third-party technical documentation. The OEM drawing we receive from the client is covered by our non-disclosure agreement, but it does not thereby become a license.

The right to repair and rights in a part

Directive (EU) 2024/1799 promotes repair of goods covered by the EU acts it lists. It does not automatically cover every device or override intellectual-property rights. It sets 31 July 2026 as the national transposition deadline; that date alone does not authorise reproduction of a particular part.

For the owner of broken equipment, this is a change in direction: the market shifts from 'buy new' to 'repair'. For us, this is demand, not a right, and here a disclaimer is needed, which is missing in most texts on this topic.

The directive imposes obligations on equipment manufacturers, not on us. We are not an authorized service center and our part is not 'legally required'. We are an alternative where the original parts manufacturer does not supply them.

Automotive parts face stricter limits

For automotive parts, we first consider their function and effect on safety. Resemblance to the original does not establish that a replacement is suitable. Our offer excludes parts requiring type approval.

We do not produce homologated parts. Therefore, the dividing line is explicitly defined here to avoid leaving it to intuition:

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  Included: interior components, such as upholstery clips, guides, knobs, frames, handles, air vent grilles; non-load-bearing body elements; workshop equipment.
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  Not included: brake system, steering, suspension, seatbelts, airbags, external lighting, and everything with E homologation.
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  Does not fit: part operating under the hood at temperatures above 87 °C under load. Here, it is the material itself that limits us, not regulations.

The same principle applies outside of automotive: we do not accept parts responsible for safety, medical devices, or anything intended for children under three years old.

Here's what happens when you send us a part

1. 1.
   We examine the part or photos and determine if it qualifies as a repair under the above definition. In unclear cases, we will inform you directly rather than provide an estimate.
2. 2.
   We reproduce the geometry: dimensions, fits, tooth profile. Manufacturer markings and logos are not included in the model.
3. 3.
   We print a trial piece for fitting, because reproducing a part without a trial fit is just guessing.
4. 4.
   Photos, scans and files have a 90-day access period from the enquiry. After that, they are scheduled for deletion during housekeeping. We sign an NDA before you send files if you need one.

The segments we work in, and example parts, are on the spare parts page. For gears, the most common case in this category, there is a separate page with limits and dimensions. The path for reproducing geometry from a worn part is described in the engineering review.

Disclaimer that must be here

This describes our workshop policy; it is not legal advice. We summarize regulations as we apply them to our own orders; a court in your case may interpret them differently. In disputes with manufacturers or regarding the sale of reproduced parts, it is advisable to consult a lawyer.

However, if you have a cracked part in hand and want to know whether it can be reproduced, send photos. We respond within 24 business hours and also let you know at that time when the answer is 'no'.