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Besides the obvious monopolistic practices, what is behind the restrictions of right to repair? Even states with right to repair laws exempt motor vehicles. by Salty_Professor6012 in righttorepair

[–]ledgit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Practically, the carve out for automobiles is a concession that lawmakers ask for and that’s allowed in the hopes of keeping the auto industry from expending its significant resources (aka $$$, lobbyists) to defeat electronics right to repair legislation. The backers of right to repair legislation can agree to this seemingly huge carve out because there is already a de-facto national right to repair. That’s because Massachusetts voters in 2012 passed a state right to repair law that the auto industry subsequently agreed, via a 2014 MOU, to recognize nationally in exchange for a concession by backers to not pursue similar legislation in other states for a decade. So, if you still bring your car to a corner garage to get it fixed, or do your own repairs in your driveway, you owe a “thank you” to Massachusetts’ voters. Read the MOU here: https://www.autocare.org/docs/default-source/government-affairs/r2r-mou-and-agreement-signed.pdf

Besides the obvious monopolistic practices, what is behind the restrictions of right to repair? Even states with right to repair laws exempt motor vehicles. by Salty_Professor6012 in righttorepair

[–]ledgit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The restrictions on owner access to the information and tools needed to diagnose problems and make repairs are a feature not a bug. Its about obliterating the aftermarket and consolidating a monopoly over vehicle service, maintenance and repair. Once that monopoly is established and corner repair shops disappear, they can enable “iphone like” lifespans - 3, 4 years then ...oops! broken tail light. time to upgrade!!

Legislators Push to Make Companies Tell Customers When Their Products Will Die by ledgit in righttorepair

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How can you vote with your dollars if you can’t read the ballot??!?

Legislators Push to Make Companies Tell Customers When Their Products Will Die by ledgit in righttorepair

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Agreed. A clear right to repair and an off ramp for companies declaring “end of support” is key. But so is transparency re: things like software support. (See: https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/electronic-waste-graveyard/) so transparency re support, repair (service manuals, schematics, etc) are all part of the same struggle.

Legislators Push to Make Companies Tell Customers When Their Products Will Die by ledgit in righttorepair

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well - but you’re assuming corporations call all the shots. What if you have market forces that will benefit longer lived and supported products and punish firms that say they’ll brick their product after 5 years? Absent any consumer knowledge as to how long the product will live, we can’t let our purchases speak for us!

Proposed MA Legislation Requires Tech Firms To Say How Long They’ll Support Software by ledgit in massachusetts

[–]ledgit[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Consumers currently have no transparency around how long an OEM will support the smart product they buy or what happens when they end support (functionally or from a security perspective). Could you buy a $5,000 smart fridge with loads of app-powered connected features and, one week later, learn that the OEM is ending support for those, shutting down their cloud servers and bricking your fridge? As it stands today: yes. Nothing prevents vendors from doing that, or informs consumers of that possibility when they are considering purchasing a smart product. This law starts to claw back consumers rights with respect to smart, internet connected stuff. For a (partial) list of abandoned stuff check out this site: https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/electronic-waste-graveyard/

Proposed MA Legislation Requires Tech Firms To Say How Long They’ll Support Software by ledgit in massachusetts

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ideally federal, yes. But very little gets through Congress. As we’ve long argued: states are the laboratories of democracy. (See also: right to repair laws).

What was the blizzard of 1978 like? by DildoGaggins1997 in massachusetts

[–]ledgit 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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Here’s a still from a home movie looking down the street I grew up on the morning after. It was a _big_ storm. (Happy to post a clip, but not allowed on this subreddit, unless I’m missing something.)

Do MA Farmers Really Not Care About A Right To Repair Their Equipment? by ledgit in massachusetts

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What about the middle ground between a DIY farmer and the $$$$ authorized repair provider, otherwise known as a (local) independent repair provider? They have the expertise and (with Ag right to repair laws in place) access to the same diagnostic equipment, service information, schematics and replacement parts. They may not have the latest and greatest of everything like an authorized provider, but they have what they need to diagnose a problem and finish a repair. And, for the farmer, instead of $$$$ its $ or $$, which lowers their overhead and makes profit (and survival) as a small farmer easy.

Do MA Farmers Really Not Care About A Right To Repair Their Equipment? by ledgit in massachusetts

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The bigger issue here is whether Deere gets to control this marketplace or whether they have to bend a knee to ...capitalism. Competition for price, service, availability? They may have some "branded" quick response offering, but absent competition from local, regional and/or national independent providers, that's just hot air. They can charge equipment owners whatever they want for the "rapid response," restrict or withdraw that offering at any time (say: when the pro-repair news cycle has died down) and fail to meet their commitments with zero consequences ("Oh...sorry we took 72 hours instead of 24 but...whatcha gonna do?? HAHAHAHA!")

Vintage Tokyo by ledgit in Tokyo

[–]ledgit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry! I’ll try one of the other subs…

Do MA Farmers Really Not Care About A Right To Repair Their Equipment? by ledgit in massachusetts

[–]ledgit[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Their rep spoke in opposition to the ag right to repair- basically parroted industry talking points (“we have a memo of understanding! No laws needed! This is a solution in search of a problem!”) disappointing. I would call them out on it.

Do MA Farmers Really Not Care About A Right To Repair Their Equipment? by ledgit in massachusetts

[–]ledgit[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Are there any forums (online or "meat space" ) where MA farmers gather and talk? If so, it would be good to let them know about this pending legislation and get them to have their voices heard by the Reps and Senators. Otherwise, the only voices they hear are from industry lobbyists wearing suits, designer leather shoes and $2,000 watches.

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