The Right To Repair and What It Means For Consumers

A repair technician works on a piece of electronics

Giant tech companies like Apple and Microsoft have long imposed rules and restrictions on consumers regarding repairs on their products, limiting who, how, and where devices such as video game consoles, cell phones, and more can be repaired. Farmers and others who have purchased heavy equipment and farm implements have also been subjected to cumbersome restrictions when machines used for work and livelihoods break down, meaning that they must wait for a certified repair tech to fix their expensive equipment. A new law in the United States will loosen these restrictions, allowing consumers more choices when it comes to having purchases repaired. This rule would stop manufacturers from preventing consumers and independent repair services from repairing devices.

What Does This Mean For US Residents?

This Right to Repair law will:

•  Create more competition in the marketplace

• Increase wages for American workers

• Lower repair costs for consumers and farmers

Agriculture will probably see the biggest benefit to this new rule, who, for decades, have been forced to pay for costly repairs to farming equipment by the manufacturers like John Deere, who withholds software that is needed; even basic repairs and maintenance must be done at a dealership. Additionally, farmers will now be allowed to sue processors if the farmers are retaliated against or underpaid. The rules also block companies from labeling food as a "Product of the USA" if the product was produced or processed overseas.

Consumers Benefits and Risks

This rule will make repairing products you've purchased more affordable and will expand options when looking to get products repaired. Big tech and other manufacturers are warning that repairing products yourself could pose health and safety concerns, warning that the reason they have required that they - pr certified repair technicians - fix broken products is due to dangerous outcomes if consumers repair tractors incorrectly or install batteries. Environmental advocates have come out in support of the new rules saying that consumers will repair more products rather than throw them out due to the cost of having them repaired.

If you have questions about consumer law, your provider attorney will be able to answer them for you, including issues surrounding the repair and maintenance of tech or expensive equipment. In fact, with our legal subscription plans for individuals and families, you'll have access to dedicated, qualified attorneys 24/7 through our app, and your attorney will be able to give you advice, answer questions, review documents, and make calls and send letters on your behalf, and much more, all for one low, monthly subscription fee! Learn more about the essential benefits of our legal subscription plans or sign up now!