from Hacker News

Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions [pdf]

by sinak on 5/6/21, 8:17 PM with 29 comments

  • by rsj_hn on 5/6/21, 10:05 PM

    It's a lot more important than many realize. Good products -- for example tractors and electric cars -- are being locked down and made less appealing to customers because of right to repair restrictions and exorbitant maintenance costs. It's one thing when you have to go to the manufacturer to repair your iphone, but when you need to do that to repair a tractor or a personal vehicle you have to use, then that can truly impoverish people. This is a very important battle in the fight to preserve the middle class.

  • by sundvor on 5/6/21, 9:48 PM

    I made a tiny donation to Rossmann's campaign. Time poor at the moment, I skipped straight to the conclusion which is very uplifting:

    "To address unlawful repair restrictions, the FTC will pursue appropriate law enforcement and regulatory options, as well as consumer education, consistent with our statutory authority. The Commission also stands ready to work with legislators, either at the state or federal level, in order to ensure that consumers have choices when they need to repair products that they purchase and own."

    Looking forward to reading the full report later.

  • by xbar on 5/6/21, 9:22 PM

    ...we conclude by explaining that, based on the record before us, it is clear that repair restrictions have diluted the effectiveness of Section 102(c) and steered consumers into manufacturers’ repair networks or to replace products before the end of their useful lives.

    Based on a review of comments submitted and materials presented during the Workshop, there is scant evidence to support manufacturers’ justifications for repair restrictions.18

  • by TimSchumann on 5/6/21, 10:38 PM

    Obligatory link to Louis Rossmann’s recent Right to Repair fundraiser. Please consider donating if you’re interested in helping legislate for more open/repairable hardware.

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-get-right-to-repair-passed

  • by tyingq on 5/6/21, 10:23 PM

    Doesn't this sort of report typically come just before somebody gets made an example of? I wonder who's first.

  • by pabs3 on 5/7/21, 1:20 AM

    I wonder when we will get the right to repair software.