This is a developing story, one which is creating quite a stir. Makerbot, the consumer based 3D printer brand, now owned by Stratasys, has filed for a patent many months ago for a Quick-release extruder. Makerbot use to be an open source company until Stratasys purchased them for over $400 million. Now, the internet is up in arms as they claim, rightfully so, that the extruder design actually belongs with the creative commons, and was developed by 3 Thingiverse users, whpthomas, emmett, and whosawhatsis. Here is a link to a Google+ post made by one of the 3 designers, in which he brings up the fact that Makerbot is trying to steal their work and patent it as their own: https://plus.google.com/+Whosawhatsis/posts/BipgwyhE7D5 . Here is an image of the quick release extruder in question:


It will be very interesting to see if the patent is actually awarded to Makerbot and Stratasys, or if they reject the filing. It is interesting to note that recent changes to the patent filing system can still award a patent if a design was previously in use. Instead of 'first to invent,' they now award more for 'first-to-file'. What are your guy's opinions on all this?