Fight to Repair

Fight to Repair focuses on advocating for the right to repair electronics, highlighting issues like planned obsolescence, anti-repair lobbying, and the environmental impact of electronic waste. It covers repairs for diverse products from printers to vehicles, criticizes monopoly practices, and reports on legislative developments globally.

Right to Repair Legislation Electronic Waste and Environmental Impact Consumer Advocacy and Corporate Accountability Planned Obsolescence and Product Longevity Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Software Locks Monopoly Practices and Market Control Repair-Friendly Product Design Legislative and Policy Developments Consumer Electronics and Appliances Vehicle Repair Laws and Telematics

The hottest Substack posts of Fight to Repair

And their main takeaways

Ag Equipment Right To Repair Headed To Governor’s Desk in Colorado

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Advocacy Enforcement Agriculture
  1. Colorado House voted 44-16 for agricultural equipment right to repair bill, heading to Governor Polis for approval.
  2. The passing of Colorado's right to repair law marks a significant victory for the national campaign.
  3. Support from various groups, successful state laws on other repair rights, and persistent advocacy all contributed to the success of the agricultural right to repair bill.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 24, 2022

0 implied HN points • 24 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repair Electronics EVs Legislation Sustainability
  1. Apple's Self Service Repair program reveals prices for MacBook parts, ranging from generous to expensive, like a logic board costing $4,222.
  2. Tesla customers face challenges with service including long wait times and parts availability, despite the simplified maintenance of electric vehicles.
  3. Community initiatives like 'The Repair Revolution' in New Zealand aim to reduce waste by fixing broken items, highlighting the benefits of repair over replacement.

Sticking It To Russia? Good! Remotely Bricking Ag Equipment? Not so much.

0 implied HN points • 02 May 22
🌍 World Politics Russia Ukraine Agriculture Technology Security
  1. Ukrainians disabled stolen farm equipment remotely, frustrating thieving Russian troops, which highlights the intertwining of technology and agriculture in modern theft prevention.
  2. Actions like remotely disabling stolen equipment are not only about preventing theft but also about monitoring and collecting valuable agricultural data, which companies like Deere can monetize.
  3. The use of remote management and anti-theft features in agriculture equipment signifies a more intricate relationship between technology, surveillance, and protection in the farming industry.

A Number One!! NY Passes Digital Fair Repair Act

0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Advocacy Consumer Rights State Politics
  1. New York passed the Digital Fair Repair Act, becoming the first state to do so, enabling consumers to repair their electronics and reducing waste.
  2. Years of work by right to repair advocates led to this milestone, overcoming heavy lobbying from tech firms and previous failures in other states.
  3. The passing of the act is a win for consumers, small businesses, and the environment, allowing easier access to spare parts, repair software, and service diagrams for a wide range of devices.
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The Week in Repair: March 27 - April 2

0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
💼 Business Repair Monopolies Legislation Manufacturers Trade
  1. The EU is proposing new rules focusing on making products more durable and repairable, including requirements for information on repairs and updates.
  2. Samsung is launching a repair program allowing owners of certain devices to repair them themselves, with iFixit's assistance to provide repair guides and parts.
  3. Colorado passed a bill granting the right to repair powered wheelchairs, highlighting the importance of repair accessibility for various devices.

Deere promised better access to repair tools. Months later, not much has changed.

0 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
💼 Business Technology Finance World Politics Health Politics News
  1. Deere promised better access to repair tools through its Service Advisor software, but customers and independent repair professionals say little has changed, with many repairs still requiring the cooperation of a Deere authorized repair provider.
  2. Despite making the Customer Service Advisor software more accessible, the high cost of the subscription and limited capabilities make it unattractive for farmers and independent repair shops.
  3. The restrictions Deere imposes on repair access frustrate customers and independent repair, leading to the need for cracked versions of the software to compete, while class action lawsuits highlight the ongoing battle for right to repair.

Smartbulbs and Tractors and NFTvs...Oh My! The Worst of CES

0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Privacy Environment Agriculture
  1. The CES event showcased concerning security issues with products like John Deere's autonomous tractor, raising questions about cybersecurity and potential risks posed by vulnerabilities.
  2. Deere's response to security vulnerabilities, including launching a bug bounty program, fell short in transparency and substance, indicating a lack of significant organizational change to address the issues.
  3. Other categories for the Worst In Show at CES included privacy concerns with products like the Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Lightbulb and environmental impact with items like the Samsung NFT Aggregation Platform.

Brother Printer’s Warranty Restrictions Spawn Anti-Trust Suit

0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
💼 Business Legal Monopolies Antitrust Consumer Protection
  1. Brother Printers faced an antitrust suit due to tying warranty service to authorized repair providers, violating laws. This indicates a common issue in consumer goods markets.
  2. Deceptive packaging led to a warranty surprise for consumers, like Mr. Konkel, who found warranty conditions after purchase.
  3. The legal expert highlighted ongoing abuse of warranty provisions by manufacturers, emphasizing the need for lawsuits to enforce legal obligations and target unfair business practices.

The Week in Repair: Feb 1-8

0 implied HN points • 10 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Legislation Repairability Recycling Innovation Advocacy
  1. US lawmakers are pushing 'Right to Repair' bills to ensure consumers have access to repair services independently.
  2. Automakers are considering turning features into subscription services, leading to negative consumer response.
  3. Efforts are being made to expand repairability beyond laptops, impacting consumer behavior and corporate practices.

Fight to Repair Daily: July 20, 2022

0 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Right-to-repair Software Open Source Antitrust
  1. AirPods repair advocate modified AirPods with a USB-C port for increased repairability, offering free access to 3D printing and PCB files.
  2. iFixit is expanding its operations with a new service facility and warehouse in Chattanooga, TN, aiming to create over 200 jobs in the next five years.
  3. Actions are being taken to prevent copyright and software rules from hindering the right to repair by ensuring access to repair information and addressing limitations created by design rules.