File-sharing site The Pirate Bay is apparently expanding its reach into letting users pass one another physical objects to download.

Well, that's actually not the case just yet. But the site is introducing a new category called "Physibles" in anticipation of a day in which "you will print the spare parts for your vehicles."

Physibles are "data objects that are able (and feasible) to become physical," the site says in its announcement blog post.

In other words, files meant for 3D printers. Such printers and scanners are not widespread but do already exist. The Pirate Bay, however, believes that 3D technology will become commonplace before long.

"You will download your sneakers within 20 years," the blog post says.

At the time of this writing, the Physibles category contained just three files available for download. Included were apparent data files for a whistle, a model robot and a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle muscle car.

The Pirate Bay says that what it believes to be the imminent advent of 3D printing and file-sharing will be tremendously beneficial to society.

"No more shipping huge amount of products around the world," according to the blog post. "No more shipping broken products back. No more child labor. We'll be able to print food for hungry people. We'll be able to share not only a recipe, but the full meal."

The Pirate Bay has long connected users with massive collections of music and movie files, without regard for copyright infringement concerns. If it's able to do they same for 3D files, the site could indeed help revolutionize the ways in which people not only consume media, but acquire goods as well. But that's assuming, of course, that people actually have the hardware to print out their new cars and sneakers.

What do you think? Is The Pirate Bay on to something here? Or is this just a bunch of science fiction, at least for the fathomable future? Let us know in the comments.