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by monksy 2698 days ago
I would love to see stronger regulations on this. Ultimately this comes down to ownership. Companies have been heavily litigating users out of being able to own anything even if there has been money changing hands. (Also while including terms that make them not responsible for actions performed with a device you don't own).

For example: Sony and Amazon can take away the digital books/games that you bought a copy for. Sony will do it if you ever enact your consumer rights to charge back for fraudulent activity. (See r/playstation on chargebacks) (I'm not just talking about the game/content in question.. I'm talking about your entire library)
3 comments
drtrlady 2698 days ago
OEMs are definitely blocking repair, but not through litigation against consumers. The reason is they don't actually have the right to block you from repairing your equipment. The only thing they can do to you is sue you for violating the EULA contract.

EULA are designed to remove your existing legal rights to repair under current patent, copyright, and ownership law. Its the EULA that are unfair and deceptive -- which is why state consumer protection laws can restore your right to repair.

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monksy 2698 days ago
When I said litigating I meant they're forcing users to agree to a contract (EULA/TOS) just to use the devices sold.
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jjoonathan 2698 days ago
It happens at higher price points too. Sony retroactively dropped PS4 support for my 4K display in an "update." After letting it run, the 4K modes were locked out, leaving at most 1080P, unless I bought a new display. Eck.
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adrianratnapala 2698 days ago
I think we will see various governments pass regulations, and they might even help a little, but governments have stronger incentives to push the other way.

Whether it is to protect IP, to enable police-interception or to prevent you from cranking up you radio signal governments and companies have joint interest in ensuring gadgets don't always obey their users. Often for good reason.

Politicians therefore have a much stronger incentive to push for piece-meal regulations to get devices to do certain thigns (will sometimes be consumer-friendly) than to support a general right-to-tinker which can allow uses that powerful stakeholders (including the public) will dislike.

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