Planned obsolescence: Difference between revisions
Added citation |
→Overview: Definition and types |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{StubNotice}} | {{StubNotice}} | ||
=Overview= | =Overview= | ||
'''Planned obsolescence''' is a | '''Planned obsolescence''' is a business strategy where products are intentionally designed to become obsolete, undesirable, or to stop functioning within a predetermined time-frame, forcing consumers to replace them. | ||
The phrase "planned obsolescence" was coined in 1932 by Bernard London, who proposed mandatory product expiration to stimulate Depression-era economies. Brooks Stevens later popularized it in the 1950s, defining it as instilling a desire for newer products "sooner than necessary". | |||
Types of Planned Obsolescence | |||
Contrived Durability: Designing products with inferior materials or components or non repairable parts. | |||
Systemic Obsolescence: Technological incompatibility, such as software updates rendering older devices unusable. | |||
Perceived Obsolescence: Marketing-driven trends that make functional items seem outdated. | |||
Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans. | |||
A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bulow |first=Jeremy |date=1984 |title=An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |journal=Stanford Graduate School of Business}}</ref> | |||
=Famous Planned Obsolescence Cases= | =Famous Planned Obsolescence Cases= |
Revision as of 23:10, 18 May 2025
❗Article Status Notice: This Article is a stub
This article is underdeveloped, and needs additional work to meet the wiki's Content Guidelines and be in line with our Mission Statement for comprehensive coverage of consumer protection issues. Learn more ▼
Overview
Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where products are intentionally designed to become obsolete, undesirable, or to stop functioning within a predetermined time-frame, forcing consumers to replace them.
The phrase "planned obsolescence" was coined in 1932 by Bernard London, who proposed mandatory product expiration to stimulate Depression-era economies. Brooks Stevens later popularized it in the 1950s, defining it as instilling a desire for newer products "sooner than necessary".
Types of Planned Obsolescence
Contrived Durability: Designing products with inferior materials or components or non repairable parts.
Systemic Obsolescence: Technological incompatibility, such as software updates rendering older devices unusable.
Perceived Obsolescence: Marketing-driven trends that make functional items seem outdated.
Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans.
A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.[1]
Famous Planned Obsolescence Cases
Year | Company | Product | Details |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Apple | iPhones | Apple admitted it had released software updates that could slow down older iPhone models when their batteries degraded. This was allegedly done to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. This resulted in 3 settlements totaling over USD $600M[2] |
2018 | Samsung | Galaxy Note 4 | Italy’s antitrust body fined Samsung €5 million regarding software updates that allegedly slowed down certain Galaxy phones.[3] |
2016 | HP | Printer | HP released firmware updates for "Dynamic Security", causing printers to show error messages or stop working if a non-HP-branded cartridge was installed. Multiple settlements were reached totaling over USD $5M between 2016 and 2020.[4] |
1925 | Associated Electrical Industries(UK),
General Electric(US), Osram(GER), Phillips(US), Tungsram(HUN) |
Incandescent Light Bulbs | One of the earliest examples of planned obsolescence. On January 15, 1925 corporations based in Europe and the U.S. incorperated a cartel called, Phœbus S.A. Compagnie Industrielle pour le Développement de l'Éclairage, Industrial Company for the Development of Lighting. Until 1939, Phoebus S.A. kept the life-span of light bulbs to 1,000 hours. After the cartel was dissolved the industry continued this practice for years.[5] |
See Also
References
- ↑ Bulow, Jeremy (1984). "An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence". Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- ↑ https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/science/4153770-apple-to-start-paying-out-claims-in-500m-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-reports/
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones
- ↑ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/
- ↑ https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/82/753/1755675/
- REDIRECT Self-destructive design