> it removes the need to create products that last a long time. I think the difference here is intent and effort. If you're trying for "cheap" (as the manufac

> it removes the need to create products that last a long time. I think the difference here is intent and effort. If you're trying for "cheap" (as the manufacturer), you won't care how well it works and don't try for anything more than the minimum necessary in terms of lifespan or quality. If you're trying for planned obsolesce, you will deliberately make it worse. That's the "planned" part. In this case, the cartel not only tested for lifespan, but FINED members that improved it. There have always been manufacturers that shoot for "cheap", and while people will call them on it, it's a different story from those that deliberately sabotage the product in terms of functionality.