Despite being a big fan of right to repair, I really didn't like this article. It gave me the impression that the only way to fix things is to impose regulatio

Despite being a big fan of right to repair, I really didn't like this article. It gave me the impression that the only way to fix things is to impose regulations on manufacturers in the form of design restrictions and support requirements. IMO, that's not at all what right to repair should be focusing on. I disagree with any regulation which would force a manufacturer to compromise on the design of a device just for the sake of ease-of-repair or to provide parts or repair services. However, there are some practices which I do think should be illegal as part of right to repair law. Here are some examples: 1) Manufacturers should not be allowed to use serialization to prevent a device from working with replacement parts. It's okay for a device to user serialization to detect if the part has been replace and if the replacement is known to be compatible, but it's not okay for the device to refuse to work with a replacement part outright simply because the part ID is different. 2) Manufacturers should not be allowed to make exclusivity deals for parts with third party vendors. Apple should not be allowed to make a deal with Intersil that gives them exclusive rights to purchase the ISL9120 chip used in their Mac Books. This restriction should not extend to parts designed by the manufacturer whose production is merely contracted out to a third party. 3) Manufacturers should not be allowed to restrict sharing of schematics, specifications, or other legally acquired product information. If someone takes the time to map out the traces and identify the components on a circuit board, then they should be allowed to share that information without fear of legal threats. 4) Genuine used good should not be seized by customs under the pretext of them being "counterfeit". 5) Manufacturers shouldn't be allowed to restrict the purchase of replacement parts using "authorized repair" programs. If they're going to offer parts for repair, they should be available for purchase with no strings attached. Others have already pointed it out, but Louis Rossmann's YouTube channel and Fight to Repair website have some great information on the problems faced by independent repair. https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup https://www.fighttorepair.org/ https://www.fighttorepair.org/