Swordsmyth
01-26-2018, 06:53 PM
A number of states are considering right to repair bills (https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/23/right-to-repair-bills-introduced-in-five-states/), legislation which if passed would make it easier for individuals and repair shops to replace or repair electronics parts. Repair.org (https://repair.org/news/2018/1/18/17-states-now-weighing-right-to-repair-bills-as-momentum-grows) reports that 17 states have already introduced bills this year and while most aim to make repair parts and manuals accessible, Washington's proposed legislation would straight up ban electronics that prevent easy repair. "Original manufacturers of digital electronic products sold on or after January 1, 2019, in Washington state are prohibited from designing or manufacturing digital electronic products in such a way as to prevent reasonable diagnostic or repair functions by an independent repair provider," says the bill (http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2279.pdf). "Preventing reasonable diagnostic or repair functions includes permanently affixing a battery in a manner that makes it difficult or impossible to remove."
Motherboard (https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/zmqa49/washington-right-to-repair-iphone-cpu-throttling) reports that the bill is cosponsored by a dozen representatives, a group that includes both Democrats and Republicans, and was recently moved out of committee, meaning it's closer to a vote than similar bills in other states.
More at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/washington-state-bill-hard-repair-212600521.html
Motherboard (https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/zmqa49/washington-right-to-repair-iphone-cpu-throttling) reports that the bill is cosponsored by a dozen representatives, a group that includes both Democrats and Republicans, and was recently moved out of committee, meaning it's closer to a vote than similar bills in other states.
More at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/washington-state-bill-hard-repair-212600521.html