Right to repair: Difference between revisions

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'''Right to repair''' is a legal right for owners of devices and equipment to freely modify and repair products such as automobiles, electronics, and farm equipment. Right to repair may also refer to the social movement of citizens putting pressure on their governments to enact laws protecting a right to repair.

'''[[wikipedia:Right_to_repair#cite_note-:3-10|Right to repair]]''' is a legal right for owners of devices and equipment to freely modify and repair products such as automobiles, electronics, and farm equipment. Right to repair may also refer to the social movement of citizens putting pressure on their governments to enact laws protecting a right to repair.

There are several forces that result in interference with a right to repair, some intentional and some incidental. The Consumer Action Taskforce generally focuses on practices that are intentional. The motivations for interference in a right to repair are sometimes but not limited to direct financial benefit or market control.

== Key principles ==

The [https://www.repair.org/ Digital Right to Repair Coalition], an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for right to repair legislation, has outlined the essential components of such laws:<ref>https://www.repair.org/legislation</ref><blockquote>

# '''Access to Diagnostic Tools''': The right for consumers and independent repair shops to access the same diagnostic and repair tools that are available to the original manufacturer.

# '''Replacement Parts''': Ensuring that consumers can purchase genuine replacement parts at fair market prices, either directly from the manufacturer or through third-party vendors.

# '''Software and Firmware''': Granting the ability to bypass software locks that prevent repairs, as long as it doesn't infringe upon proprietary software or intellectual property rights.

# '''Documentation''': Providing comprehensive repair manuals, schematics, and other documentation to facilitate effective repairs.

# '''Anti-Retaliation''': Protection against voiding warranties or other retaliatory measures from manufacturers when consumers or independent shops perform repairs.

# '''Contracts''': Addressing the role of unfair and deceptive contracts like EULAs that are non-negotiable and alter the intent of the purchase. The legislative focus is on combating the abusive nature of these contracts rather than the technology itself.

# '''Exemptions''': Understanding that certain industries or product categories, like motor vehicles, may be exempt due to existing agreements or laws. These exemptions can inadvertently create repair monopolies and should be carefully considered.

# '''Enforcement''': Utilizing the power of the state Attorney General for law enforcement and issuing fines as incentives for state-led compliance. Alternative enforcement mechanisms can also be considered.

In states that have enacted Right to Repair laws, the legislation often involves a multi-faceted approach. It's not just about passing the law; it also includes implementing an enforcement mechanism, engaging with manufacturers for compliance, and educating consumers and repair shops about their rights and responsibilities.</blockquote>

==Anti-repair practices==

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===Parts===

~~A way that companies can make~~ their ~~products~~ more ~~complicated is by using~~ specialized parts in different ways:

==== Access to tools and parts ====

Many manufacturers restrict access to parts and tools, making them only available to their own dealers’ repair shops. This practice locks independent shops out of repairs and enables manufacturers to set artificially high prices. Most manufacturers don’t publish the related instructions, already created for their internal use. Withholding repair documentation makes DIY repairs more difficult and more dangerous.<ref>https://www.repair.org/restricting-access</ref>

==== Engineering parts to prevent replacements ====

Manufacturers often use specialized parts in different ways:

*An off the shelf part that has had a slight change that causes it to be its own unique part number

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These stickers, commonly found on electronic devices and appliances, are intended to prevent consumers from tampering with products, often in relation to repairs or modifications. However, their use has raised concerns about whether they unfairly limit consumer rights, particularly their right to repair, and circumvent warranties.

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.~~{{citation needed}}~~ 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.

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.<ref>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</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>https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/07/ftc-warns-companies-stop-warranty-practices-harm-consumers-right-repair</ref><ref>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/</ref>

===Software===

~~===Software===~~

Some ways that companies can and (some) have been making software worse for consumers is among the following:

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Proprietary filetypes and protocols can make hardware useless if the company who made it closes their business without disclosing the software, protocol, or filetype to the public or surviving entity before doing so.

== References ==

[[Category:Common terms]]

[[Category:Positive practices]]

[[Category:Right to repair]]

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-'''Right to repair''' is a legal right for owners of devices and equipment to freely modify and repair products such as automobiles, electronics, and farm equipment. Right to repair may also refer to the social movement of citizens putting pressure on their governments to enact laws protecting a right to repair.
+'''[[wikipedia:Right_to_repair#cite_note-:3-10|Right to repair]]''' is a legal right for owners of devices and equipment to freely modify and repair products such as automobiles, electronics, and farm equipment. Right to repair may also refer to the social movement of citizens putting pressure on their governments to enact laws protecting a right to repair.
 There are several forces that result in interference with a right to repair, some intentional and some incidental. The Consumer Action Taskforce generally focuses on practices that are intentional. The motivations for interference in a right to repair are sometimes but not limited to direct financial benefit or market control.
+== Key principles ==
+The [https://www.repair.org/ Digital Right to Repair Coalition], an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for right to repair legislation, has outlined the essential components of such laws:<ref>https://www.repair.org/legislation</ref><blockquote>
+# '''Access to Diagnostic Tools''': The right for consumers and independent repair shops to access the same diagnostic and repair tools that are available to the original manufacturer.
+# '''Replacement Parts''': Ensuring that consumers can purchase genuine replacement parts at fair market prices, either directly from the manufacturer or through third-party vendors.
+# '''Software and Firmware''': Granting the ability to bypass software locks that prevent repairs, as long as it doesn't infringe upon proprietary software or intellectual property rights.
+# '''Documentation''': Providing comprehensive repair manuals, schematics, and other documentation to facilitate effective repairs.
+# '''Anti-Retaliation''': Protection against voiding warranties or other retaliatory measures from manufacturers when consumers or independent shops perform repairs.
+# '''Contracts''': Addressing the role of unfair and deceptive contracts like EULAs that are non-negotiable and alter the intent of the purchase. The legislative focus is on combating the abusive nature of these contracts rather than the technology itself.
+# '''Exemptions''': Understanding that certain industries or product categories, like motor vehicles, may be exempt due to existing agreements or laws. These exemptions can inadvertently create repair monopolies and should be carefully considered.
+# '''Enforcement''': Utilizing the power of the state Attorney General for law enforcement and issuing fines as incentives for state-led compliance. Alternative enforcement mechanisms can also be considered.
+In states that have enacted Right to Repair laws, the legislation often involves a multi-faceted approach. It's not just about passing the law; it also includes implementing an enforcement mechanism, engaging with manufacturers for compliance, and educating consumers and repair shops about their rights and responsibilities.</blockquote>
 ==Anti-repair practices==
@@ Line 10: / Line 23: @@
 ===Parts===
-A way that companies can make their products more complicated is by using specialized parts in different ways:
+==== Access to tools and parts ====
+Many manufacturers restrict access to parts and tools, making them only available to their own dealers’ repair shops. This practice locks independent shops out of repairs and enables manufacturers to set artificially high prices. Most manufacturers don’t publish the related instructions, already created for their internal use. Withholding repair documentation makes DIY repairs more difficult and more dangerous.<ref>https://www.repair.org/restricting-access</ref>
+==== Engineering parts to prevent replacements ====
+Manufacturers often use specialized parts in different ways:
 *An off the shelf part that has had a slight change that causes it to be its own unique part number
@@ Line 23: / Line 41: @@
 These stickers, commonly found on electronic devices and appliances, are intended to prevent consumers from tampering with products, often in relation to repairs or modifications. However, their use has raised concerns about whether they unfairly limit consumer rights, particularly their right to repair, and circumvent warranties.
-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.{{citation needed}} 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.
+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.<ref>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</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>https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/07/ftc-warns-companies-stop-warranty-practices-harm-consumers-right-repair</ref><ref>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/</ref>
+===Software===<!-- I think this section needs a separate article -->
-===Software===
 Some ways that companies can and (some) have been making software worse for consumers is among the following:
@@ Line 37: / Line 56: @@
 Proprietary filetypes and protocols can make hardware useless if the company who made it closes their business without disclosing the software, protocol, or filetype to the public or surviving entity before doing so.
+== References ==
+<references />
 [[Category:Common terms]]
 [[Category:Positive practices]]
+[[Category:Right to repair]]