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User:Jawar

2025-08-16T23:59:01Z

Jawar:

I know nothing and I'm just kinda winging it...

User:Jawar

2025-08-16T23:58:05Z

Jawar: Created page with "I know noting and I'm just kinda winging it..."

I know noting and I'm just kinda winging it...

Part pairing

2025-08-16T21:32:27Z

Jawar: Created this article to the best of my ability—undoubtedly needs revision and expansion.

Part pairing is a practice in which manufacturers serialize individual components to effectively mandate the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and approved technicians for repairs. By monitoring the serial numbers associated with each component, device functionality can be disabled if a third-party part or non-approved repair is detected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of parts pairing |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/parts-pairing |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=PCMag}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Khalid |first=Amrita |date=14 Nov 2023 |title=Right-to-repair advocates are asking the FTC for stronger rules |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/14/23961136/ifixit-and-pirg-petition-ftc-right-to-repair-rules |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

==How it works==
Some components can contain a small device known as a microcontroller. These microcontrollers can store and communicate information between the component and the device's motherboard, including a unique serial number associated with the original component. If the motherboard receives an unrecognized serial number, such as from a replacement part, some devices are designed to disable certain functionality or display persistent error messages.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Greenlee |first=Lauren |date=17 Jan 2023 |title=How Parts Pairing Kills Independent Repair |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/69320/how-parts-pairing-kills-independent-repair |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=IFixit}}</ref> This can occur even if the replacement part is an identical and original component.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 Dec 2022 |title=Nouvelle plainte de HOP contre Apple pour obsolescence programmée et entraves à la réparation (New complaint from HOP against Apple for planned obsolescence and obstruction of repairs) |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/nouvelle-plainte-de-hop-contre-apple-pour-obsolescence-programmee-et-entraves-a-la-reparation/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=HOP}}</ref>

Consumers are often encouraged to seek repairs directly from the manufacturer or approved technicians by limiting access to the tools, parts, and information necessary to avoid error messages or loss of functionality.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Maddie |date=30 Jan 2024 |title=Apple uses software to control how phones get fixed. Lawmakers are pushing back. |url=https://grist.org/technology/apple-uses-software-to-control-where-phones-get-fixed-lawmakers-are-pushing-back/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=Grist}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Mikolajczak |first=Chloé |date=6 Aug 2021 |title=Part pairing: a major threat to independent repair |url=https://repair.eu/news/part-pairing-a-major-threat-to-independent-repair/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=The Right to Repair Europe coalition}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

# Since replacement parts and unapproved repairs can cause the device to disable certain features, consumers are left with little choice but to have their devices repaired by the manufacturer, which is not only frustrating for consumers, but can often be much more expensive than if they had simply gone to an independent repair shop.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=St. John |first=Allen |date=7 May 2021 |title=Manufacturers Are Making Repairs Too Hard for Consumers, FTC Says |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-rights/manufacturers-are-making-repairs-too-hard-for-consumers-ftc-a1149984425/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Consumer Reports}}</ref>
# Part pairing also impacts independent repair shops, who find it difficult to retain customers and compete with manufacturers. Independent shops must order parts directly from the manufacturer for specific repairs, which can cause long wait times and inconvenience customers.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
# Part Pairing can also have significant environmental ramifications. Barriers to repair and refurbishing can contribute to increased E-Waste and pollution.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 2023 |title=Plainte contre Apple : le Procureur de la République ouvre l’enquête (Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation) |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=HOP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Mar 2022 |title=Why Refurbished Electronics Are the Key to Sustainable Technology |url=https://comprenew.org/refurbished-electronics-the-key-to-sustainable-technology/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Comprenew}}</ref>

==Examples==
Some examples of part pairing include:

* iPhone disabling features such as fingerprint scanning, FaceID, and battery health information; and displaying persistent error messages after repairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallagher |first=William |date=13 Nov 2023 |title=Apple's iPhone parts pairing is making the company billions |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/11/13/apples-iphone-parts-pairing-is-making-the-company-billions |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=Apple Insider}}</ref>
* Microsoft pairing the Xbox One's disk reader to its motherboard, meaning a broken disk drive must be repaired by Microsoft directly.<ref name=":1" />
* John Deere using part pairing to restrict farmers' ability to repair farm equipment. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Jitchotvisut |first=Janaki |date=22 Jan 2025 |title=The Feds Just Sued a Major OEM Over Right to Repair, Is It A Big Deal? |url=https://www.rideapart.com/features/748085/ftc-lawsuit-john-deere-repair/ |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |work=RideApart}}</ref>

== See Also ==

* [[Right to repair]]
* [[Planned obsolescence]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Cami Research

2025-08-16T03:01:27Z

Jawar: Changed present tense paragraph to past tense for consistency.

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Cami Research
| Type = Private
| Founded = 1991
| Industry = Cable Testing
| Official Website = https://www.camiresearch.com/
| Logo = Cami logo.jpg
}}CAMI Research Inc. is an American company that develops testing devices for cables and harnesses.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Contact Info {{!}} About Us {{!}} CableEye {{!}} Cable & Harness Testers |url=https://www.camiresearch.com/about_us.html |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=CAMI Research}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

===Business model===
Their primary market demographics are repair technicians, since their products are used in diagnostics. CAMI Research has a large product line of different testing devices.'''<ref name=":0" />'''

==Incidents==

===Lack of Consumer Support and Legal Threats===
In January 2025, Oregon passed a state [[Right to Repair]] law, banning [[part pairing]], and requiring manufacturers to allow consumers to choose to self-repair devices, or use a third-party service by requiring that repair documentation, tools, and parts be made available.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergmann |first=Emily |date=2025-01-27 |title=A Tough Consumer Electronics Right to Repair Law Goes Live in the US |url=https://h2compliance.com/a-tough-consumer-electronics-right-to-repair-law-goes-live-in-the-us/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=H2 Compliance |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oregon Governor signs landmark right to repair bill into law |url=https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/oregon-governor-signs-landmark-right-to-repair-bill-into-law/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=CR Advocacy |language=en}}</ref>

YouTuber and repair technician Steven Rhine bought a secondhand '''CableEye M3U''' from eBay, but due to poor packaging, the switch was damaged in transit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rhine |first=Steven |date=2024-10-28 |title=Poorly Packed Test Equipment, What Was Broken? Cami Research CableEye M3U Self Test |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhnSSSvfBLQ |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref> He sent an email to CAMI, requesting that they sell a part to him, so he could repair the device. The company representatives refused Rhine's request, citing concerns about profit.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=22 Jun 2025 |title=Cami Research Blatantly Violates Oregon Right to Repair Law, Oregon DOJ Does Nothing |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K1zi66IE0k |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref>

In response, Rhine filed a complaint with the '''Oregon Department of Justice'''. The Department acknowledged the complaint, but closed the case without any further action, citing that the issue was outside their authority.<ref name=":1" />

CAMI Research responded by threatening legal action against Rhine, accusing him of harassment, despite the communications being professional and polite. Their message asserted that Ryan should go through state legal channels only, and threatened to escalate the situation if he made further contact with them.<ref name=":1" />

==Products==

*Low-voltage testers
*High-voltage testers
*Expansion modules
*CB Boards

==See also==

*[[Better Way Electronics|Better Way Electronics (BWE)]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Cami Research Inc.]]