Right to repair: Difference between revisions

==Industries affected by anti-repair practices==

#'''Agricultural equipment:''' Farmers face significant challenges due to restrictive practices by manufacturers like [[John Deere]], which locks vital repair tools and software behind proprietary systems. While John Deere previously agreed to provide access to repair tools by 2021, it has largely failed to uphold this promise, forcing many farmers to turn to unauthorized software just to perform basic repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Sarah |date=14 Feb 2014 |title=Right to Repair Farm Equipment: Legislation, Challenges, and Advantages |url=https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/right-to-repair-farm-equipment/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2014 |website=Thomas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Reilly |first=Kevin |date=5 Feb 2021 |title=Deere in the Headlights How software that farmers can't access has become necessary to tractor repair |url=https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> Industry groups argue that allowing such access could bypass emissions and safety controls, but this leaves farmers financially dependent on dealers for critical repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=23 Feb 2021 |title=John Deere Fails to Uphold Right to Repair Agreement Signed in 2018 |url=https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/320183-john-deere-fails-to-uphold-right-to-repair-agreement-signed-in-2018 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Extreme Tech}}</ref>

#'''Consumer electronics:''' Companies are implementing restrictive measures, like serialization and pairing of parts, which prevent the use of third-party components.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 Nov 2021 |title=Manufacturers Are Restricting Your Repair Options. Here’s How. |url=https://www.carrepairchoice.org/manufacturers-are-restricting-your-repair-options-heres-how/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Car Repair Choice}}</ref> This practice raises repair costs and limits options for consumers, reinforcing a disposable culture in electronics.

#'''Medical equipment:''' Hospitals and healthcare providers encounter repair restrictions that delay the maintenance of critical devices. Limited access to diagnostics and proprietary parts exacerbates costs and impacts patient care, with some hospital technicians calling for legislative action to improve repairability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wray |first=George |last2=Vanderveer |first2=Erin |date=18 Apr 2024 |title=Fixing Circles: The Right to Repair and the Circular Economy |url=https://www.americanbar.org/groups/tort_trial_insurance_practice/resources/journal/2024-spring/fixing-circles-right-repair-circular-economy/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=American Bar}}</ref>

#'''Home appliances:''' Many household devices, such as refrigerators and washing machines, are increasingly difficult to repair because of proprietary parts and software locks. Advocates argue that this trend contributes to unnecessary e-waste and financial strain on households.{{CitationNeeded}}

#'''Automobiles:''' The automotive industry has historically restricted repairs by limiting access to diagnostic tools and proprietary systems. Massachusetts’ Right to Repair law has been a key legislative victory, enabling consumers and independent mechanics to access the tools needed for vehicle repairs.{{CitationNeeded}}

Under U.S. consumer protection law, particularly the {{wplink|Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act}}, manufacturers are prohibited from voiding warranties solely due to the removal of labels, including "warranty void if removed" stickers. Companies cannot require consumers to use specific parts or services to keep warranties unless offered for free or cleared by the [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC]]. Offenders will be enforced by law if they fail to comply within 30 days. This shields consumers from exorbitant fees and enables small businesses to provide competitive products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Lulu |date=11 Apr 2018 |title=Those ‘warranty void if removed’ stickers are illegal, says the FTC |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/ftc-warranty-stickers-illegal/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=digitaltrends}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Apr 2018 |title=FTC Staff Warns Companies that It Is Illegal to Condition Warranty Coverage on the Use of Specified Parts or Services |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2018/04/ftc-staff-warns-companies-it-illegal-condition-warranty-coverage-use-specified-parts-or-services |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref> This rule aims to ensure that consumers have the right to repair or modify products without fear of losing warranty coverage. Despite this, many manufacturers continue to use such stickers, and some place them over screws or other components necessary for standard use, leading to potential issues with warranty claims.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 Jul 2024 |title=FTC Warns Companies to Stop Warranty Practices That Harm Consumers’ Right to Repair |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/07/ftc-warns-companies-stop-warranty-practices-harm-consumers-right-repair |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Edser |first=Andy |date=4 Jul 2024 |title=FTC fires out warnings to ASRock, Gigabyte and Zotac over 'Warranty void if removed' stickers in violation of US law |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/ftc-fires-out-warnings-to-asrock-gigabyte-and-zotac-over-warranty-void-if-removed-stickers-in-violation-of-us-law/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=PCGamer}}</ref>

==Why anti-repair practices are a problem==

#'''Economic and environmental costs:''' Repair restrictions force consumers to pay excessive fees or replace entire products, contributing to financial burdens and increased e-waste.

#'''Undermining consumer rights''': These practices challenge the basic principle of ownership. By limiting access to tools, parts, and repair guides, manufacturers erode consumers' ability to service the products they own.

#'''Cultural shift toward disposability''': Restrictive repair policies foster a disposable culture, where repairing a product is no longer an option, and purchasing new items becomes the default solution.

==What can be done==

#'''Support legislation:''' Policies like Massachusetts’ Right to Repair law and the FAIR Act are essential for securing repair rights across industries.{{CitationNeeded}}

#'''Raise awareness''': Educating the public about the implications of repair restrictions can help build momentum for change.

#'''Choose repairable products:''' Supporting manufacturers that prioritize repairability can encourage better practices across industries.