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FTC Unanimously Backs New Policy Supporting Your Right to Repair Your Own Devices In The U.S.:
Following an executive order from U.S. President Biden, today the U.S. Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to adopt a new a[sic] policy designed to support the growing right to repair movement.
Passed in a 5-0 decision, the FTC’s new policy is designed to make it easier for consumers to fix their own devices and also pledges to step up investigations of companies suspected of having unlawful repair restrictions. That’s something the FTC admitted has not been an “enforcement priority for the Commission for a number of years.”
No new laws have been set in stone just yet, but the FTC’s new policy outlines five things it’s looking to improve going forward. The first is that the FTC will now prioritise investigations into unlawful repair restrictions covered under laws like the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Additionally, the FTC says it will urge the public to submit complaints and info about companies that are potentially violating relevant laws, while also keeping a closer eye on private litigation to help decide which companies may require further investigation.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Opportunist on Saturday July 24 2021, @12:55PM (4 children)
I don't know what it takes in your country to set up a registered corporate entity, in mine this is considerably more expensive than your average phone or appliance.
Also, we can already fingerprint and watermark documents well enough to know for sure who leaks it, and slap pretty draconic NDAs on them to ensure you think twice about publishing them.
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Saturday July 24 2021, @06:09PM (2 children)
It's fairly cheap, or was a few decades ago (where I lived a few decades ago). But there are some complicated hoops to jump through, and you needed to have three friends to sign onto the paperwork.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Saturday July 24 2021, @10:09PM (1 child)
Huh? What if I'm a misanthropic asshole who has no friends? I can't found a business just because I hate humans? That's ... well, some sort of discrimination it sure is!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 25 2021, @08:48AM
If you are an asshole, then you have plenty of friend lawyers. If you pay them, they will sign almost anything.
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Sunday July 25 2021, @10:05PM
In Australia a small business requires an Australian Business Number (ABN). It's free, you can register for it online, and it is usually ready to use straight away.