3 ms·

A key factor here is if Deere and others can at least know if folks are doing work themselves and then be allowed to deny warranty coverage. If so, fair trade.

jbluepolarbear 5y ago
It’d most likely be similar to automobiles where you don’t void your warranty for repairs. Only when it’s proven that your repair broke it further or something else breaks will warranty not cover a repair, but still doesn’t void warranty on unrelated parts.
- Spoom 5y ago
  As I understand it, the Magnussen-Moss Warranty Act protects this interpretation. You can't arbitrarily void a warranty by setting conditions on it like "must not remove this sticker". Though, of course, manufacturers will still try to scare people into believing that their warranty is far more fragile than it legally is.
chasil 5y ago
If Deere wants to retain absolute control over the tractor, then they should sell it as a service. The purchase of a tractor severs control via the first sale doctrine, which Deere must [be compelled to] respect.
- onphonenow 5y ago
  This is almost certainly a path they could go. For example, given the compute in the tractor I wouldn't be surprised if they licensed the code rather than sold you it under a first sale doctrine with a right of resale. Almost all software is sold that way already. So even with this bill it's hard for me to see them opening that up, in particular if it makes it easier for other countries to copy things. Basically only ever lease the machines etc.
babypuncher 5y ago
Repairs should not void warranties. In fact, those "warranty void if removed" stickers you see on a lot of devices are flat out illegal. It's just not widely enforced. The manufacturer should have to prove that the customer opening the device is what caused the defect.
- dfxm12 5y ago
  * In fact, those "warranty void if removed" stickers you see on a lot of devices are flat out illegal. * Totally unrelated to the matter at hand, but I wonder to what extent is lying illegal? Like, is it illegal to put such text on a sticker on your product, or is it only illegal to not fulfil a promise that is covered by warranty when the sticker is broken?

jbluepolarbear 5y ago

It’d most likely be similar to automobiles where you don’t void your warranty for repairs. Only when it’s proven that your repair broke it further or something else breaks will warranty not cover a repair, but still doesn’t void warranty on unrelated parts.

Spoom 5y ago
As I understand it, the Magnussen-Moss Warranty Act protects this interpretation. You can't arbitrarily void a warranty by setting conditions on it like "must not remove this sticker". Though, of course, manufacturers will still try to scare people into believing that their warranty is far more fragile than it legally is.

chasil 5y ago

If Deere wants to retain absolute control over the tractor, then they should sell it as a service. The purchase of a tractor severs control via the first sale doctrine, which Deere must [be compelled to] respect.

onphonenow 5y ago
This is almost certainly a path they could go. For example, given the compute in the tractor I wouldn't be surprised if they licensed the code rather than sold you it under a first sale doctrine with a right of resale. Almost all software is sold that way already. So even with this bill it's hard for me to see them opening that up, in particular if it makes it easier for other countries to copy things. Basically only ever lease the machines etc.

babypuncher 5y ago

Repairs should not void warranties. In fact, those "warranty void if removed" stickers you see on a lot of devices are flat out illegal. It's just not widely enforced. The manufacturer should have to prove that the customer opening the device is what caused the defect.

dfxm12 5y ago
* In fact, those "warranty void if removed" stickers you see on a lot of devices are flat out illegal. * Totally unrelated to the matter at hand, but I wonder to what extent is lying illegal? Like, is it illegal to put such text on a sticker on your product, or is it only illegal to not fulfil a promise that is covered by warranty when the sticker is broken?