[marklar423]

Part of the problem is sometimes the company doesn't have the license to release (i.e. "redistribute") the server code. In that case they're stuck - the law requires them to both release and not release the code.

Or what about scenarios where the company doesn't have code access to a critical dependency? It's not so unusual either - using a non-OSS DB or cloud service would qualify.

I think a better version of the law should mirror right-to-repair efforts: service providers have to release an API spec and not block attempts to point the client code at the new server, analogous to improving the "repairability" of the software with third party components. Constraining this event to when the service shuts down should mitigate economic concerns for companies.

[observationist]

Something like mandating the binary be released for the version operating at the end of the product's life would be good - not ideal, but since making everything open source by fiat isn't feasible, this would still allow people to operate software after it's been abandoned.