People buy cars that they are free to repair or modify. We've even guaranteed some of those freedoms in law[1], such as 15 USC § 2302(c) which prohibits[1] warr

People buy cars that they are free to repair or modify. We've even guaranteed some of those freedoms in law[1], such as 15 USC § 2302(c) which prohibits[1] warranty conditions that forbid using 3rd party parts or independent repair services. (the FTC even clarified[2] a couple years ago that deceptively implying that such a condition exists is also forbidden). Having the freedom to repair or modify your car does not mean you are a "wannabe mechanic". It may mean that in rare situations, but most people utilize that freedom when they take their car to for maintenance or repair at an independent mechanic. Locking down a device isn't necessary to provide a curated market. Apple could achieve a similar limited-market by including some kind of warranty with apps purchased through their curated store to increase confidence that their curation guarantees a minimum level of quality/security) This isn't about people wanting to be developers (or mechanics); it's about property rights. Are you buying your phone, or are you leasing it? Apple says[3] "buy" in the page title (and the URL!). The software industry - and recently John Deere - like to pretend that copyright law and carefully worded contracts of adhesion give them de facto ownership over anything by adding software. This misuse of copyright[4] is an attack on property rights. There are many ways to provide convenience, security. Guaranteeing some amount of quality in products or services does not require giving up your ability to own modern goods. [1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/2302#c https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/2302#c [2] http://www.taftlaw.com/news/publications/detail/1247-ftc-clarifies-that-a-manufacturer-provided-warranty-cannot-deceptively-imply-that-using-an-unauthorized-part-will-void-the-warranty http://www.taftlaw.com/news/publications/detail/1247-ftc-cla... [3] https://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ https://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ [4] https://apps.americanbar.org/litigation/litigationnews/practice_areas/072810-intellectual-property-copyright-misuse-overview.html https://apps.americanbar.org/litigation/litigationnews/pract...