Disabling online features in retaliation: Difference between revisions
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'''Manufacturer directly inflicts harm''' | '''Manufacturer directly inflicts harm''' | ||
The manufacturer has the ability to inflict immediate and direct harm by reducing the utility and value of the product whenever the manufacturer sees fit, based on terms that the manufacturer imposed. | The manufacturer has the ability to inflict immediate and direct harm by reducing the utility and value of the product whenever the manufacturer sees fit, based on terms that the manufacturer imposed. Even if the customer has any recourse available, the manufacturer can decide to keep online features disabled during the dispute. | ||
Even if the customer has any recourse available, the manufacturer can decide to keep online features disabled during the dispute. | |||
'''Chilling effect''' | '''Chilling effect''' | ||
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Business may use this tactic to force the consumer to buy only first party accessories / replacement parts. Regardless of whether the third party products can be legally put on the market, the manufacturer can still threaten the customer with an online ban. This stifles competition in the product's after-market. | Business may use this tactic to force the consumer to buy only first party accessories / replacement parts. Regardless of whether the third party products can be legally put on the market, the manufacturer can still threaten the customer with an online ban. This stifles competition in the product's after-market. | ||
'''Lack of recourse''' | |||
Because the online services can't be easily replaced with an alternative provider. Customers don't have a good option to contest a decision or compel the manufacturer to provide them online services, besides taking them to court. The manufacturer may also claim there are no product defects, so warranty claims or refunds for the product may be denied. Especially when combined with [[forced arbitration]] clauses, this can make it infeasible for an individual customer to fix or recover the harm inflicted on them. | |||
'''Perverse incentive to add online features''' | '''Perverse incentive to add online features''' | ||