Editing Future Motion (section)

===Lawsuit against JW Batteries===
In 2021, Future Motion filed a lawsuit against JW Batteries LLC, a small business offering aftermarket battery options for Onewheel products. This case represents an example of Future Motion's legal tactics against third-party repair and modification services<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/</ref>.

====Legal Claims====
Future Motion's lawsuit focused on three main claims:

*[[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]] (DMCA) violations regarding circumvention of board software
*[[Computer Fraud and Abuse Act]] (CFAA) allegations related to "protected systems"
*Trademark infringement regarding the use of "XR" branding on aftermarket products

The lawsuit specifically targeted JW Batteries' JWFFM chip, which allowed users to bypass Future Motion's software restrictions on battery modifications.

====Effects on Customers====
This legal action has had several effects on the Onewheel community:

*Reduced availability of third-party repair options
*Increased consumer costs for repairs and modifications
*Created a [[chilling effect]] on other aftermarket manufacturers that they too could be subject to expensive legal proceedings
*Generated community backlash against Future Motion's practices and products

====Legal implications====
This case highlights aspects of modern consumer rights:

*Use of DMCA to prevent physical product modifications
*Assertion of continued control over sold products through software locks: you bought it, but Future Motion dictates how you can use it.
*Legal pressure against small businesses providing alternative repair methods

====Response====
JW Batteries issued a public statement defending consumer rights:
*JW emphasized consumers' right to modify items they bought and paid for
*Refused to be "bullied into submission" by Future Motion
*Intended to find legal counsel to fight the claims
*Received lots of community support<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/</ref>

This lawsuit follows a theme of manufacturers using legal action to assert control over products after the sale, and prevent third-party repairs or modifications, even when such modifications may benefit consumers. The case shows the modern trend of using software-based restrictions and [[Intellectual property|intellectual-property]] law to limit consumer rights that traditionally existed for physical products.