A legislator in Canada has proposed a bill to ensure that individuals and indpendent shops can repair brand-name devices. If on the off chance that the bill becomes law, major hardware vendors will have to change how they sell their products.
[...] On Thursday, Coteau introduced a private member's bill in provincial parliament that, if passed, would be the first "right to repair" law for electronic devices in North America. More than a dozen US states are currently considering similar bills, but nothing is on the books yet in the US or in Canada.
The legislation proposes that tech companies make diagnostic tools, repair manuals, and official parts available to consumers at their request. The legislation would also require that any new products ship with a repair manual. Documents provided to consumers must be free unless they request paper copies, and parts, tools, and software must be provided at a fair price.
Earlier on SN:
Apple's T2 Security Chip Can Prevent Unauthorized Third-Party Repair of Devices
Yes, Americans, You Can Break Anti-Piracy DRM If You Want to Repair Some of Your Kit – US Govt
45 Out of 50 Electronics Companies Illegally Void Warranties After Independent Repair, Sting Reveals
The Right to Repair Battle Has Come to California
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Gaaark on Saturday February 23 2019, @08:37PM (1 child)
I remember when RadioShack used to sell games and such with this red 'cellophane' crap over the screws: if you tried to open the thing, it would wreck the cellophane and they'd know you screwed with it. So I screwed with it.
When they stopped doing the cellophane thing, I thought it was because we were LEGALLY allowed to screw with it.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 24 2019, @08:38AM
What I am hearing you say is that you now screw and unscrew anything with abandon that doesn't have red cellophane on it
So, whatcha doing saturday?