Creation and Sales of 3D Game Boards

On the topic of legality of creating 3d printed Settlers of Catan pieces.

A perhaps more important thing to consider is to ask — as you would with music, movies, anything — 
if you like something, would you support its creator(s) for what they have created? Especially if it’s not necessary for day-to-day life.

Those who would go so far as to acquire or create 3d pieces will most likely have played the game first (presumably on a non-3d set). While not necessarily true, creating a 3d set additionally generates publicity and attention for this board game.

If we’re looking at copyright from a monetary point of view (from company ‘losses’ from additional ‘copies’ of games being sold outside their jurisdiction), 3d printing is the equivalent of open source game code. Players are improving a game experience and facilitating its popularity – it would be suicide to stifle your consumers’ passion for your product.

Alternative solution: if the demand is great enough that it would be a problem, the company officially produces competitive quality 3d pieces and gets a slice of the pie.

G-Squier's laser cut Settlers of Catan set.