Following an executive order from President Biden, today the US Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to adopt a new policy designed to support the growing movement of users calling for the so-called Right to Repair. This ensures that it is easy for end users to repair their devices.
It has been passed in a 5-0 decision and is designed to make it easier for consumers to repair their own device. It also commits to intensify investigations of companies suspected of having illegal repair restrictions. The FTC admitted that this has not been a priority for several years but will now investigate them.
The Right to Repair is established in the United States
No new laws have yet been put in place, but the new FTC policy outlines five elements that they seek to improve in the future. The first is that the FTC will now prioritize investigations into illegal redress restrictions covered by laws like the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The FTC will encourage users to file complaints and information about companies that are potentially violating relevant laws. They will monitor private litigation to help decide which companies may require further investigation.
It follows that they will scrutinize redress restrictions for violations of antitrust laws or monopolistic practices. They plan to examine what kinds of repair restrictions are unfair, and will analyze any material claims made to buyers to determine whether those practices violate the law. Finally, they will use an interdisciplinary approach to utilize more resources and a broader range of expertise to better address illegal redress restrictions, both at the federal and state levels with the help of local officials.
In summary, they will monitor compliance with the Right to Repair in the United States, ensuring that you can repair the devices you have purchased in any workshop and they plan to file complaints against those who systematically violate it.With this, all manufacturing companies will have to allow accessible repairs. at the federal level in the United States without having to go to an official workshop.
The FTC advises that previous restrictions increased consumer spending, did not aid innovation, close business opportunities for independent repair shops, create unnecessary electronic waste, delay timely repairs, and undermine resilience. With the Right to Repair established in the United States, a chain effect could be generated that causes it to be established in other countries and territories such as Europe. It seems like a minor detail, but its absence causes farmers buy old tractors because they don't have to deal with DRM for such tractors.
Source: Gizmodo
