Slashdot Mirror
EU Prepares 'Right To Repair' Legislation To Fight Short Product Lifespans (bleepingcomputer.com)
An anonymous reader writes: The EU is preparing legislation that would legalize a customer's "right to repair," and would force vendors to design products for longer life and easier maintenance, in an effort to combat electronic waste and abusive practices like manufacturers legally preventing users from repairing their devices. The legislation is in its earlier stages of public discussion, but it already has the backing of several EU Members of Parliament, along with support from organizations like Greenpeace.
Currently, in the US only eleven states have similar laws, and they have been adopted after years of public discussions, and only for certain markets, and not for all types of products. It is unclear what leverage the EU will use to force manufacturers to produce longer lasting products, as this would mean lesser profits for big businesses, who often used tactics such as software DRMs, warranty contract lock-ins, and soldering components together, just to avoid users repairing products on their own.
Currently, in the US only eleven states have similar laws, and they have been adopted after years of public discussions, and only for certain markets, and not for all types of products. It is unclear what leverage the EU will use to force manufacturers to produce longer lasting products, as this would mean lesser profits for big businesses, who often used tactics such as software DRMs, warranty contract lock-ins, and soldering components together, just to avoid users repairing products on their own.
Lots of countries have tried what you're suggesting - China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela etc. It has never once worked. Standards of living in China were abysmal and only started to improve once they switched to capitalism. How many times do you have to see the same system fail to work out that socialism doesn't work.
The good news for you is that here in the UK it's likely the hard left Labour party will get into power in the next 5-10 years, mostly thanks to the growing Muslim population and the leftist indoctrination system they call education. You'll once again get the opportunity to see that socialism doesn't work, but you'll probably keep saying, "No, no, it'll work next time, I'm sure of it!"
Apple has had right to repair issues such as error 53. Apple, or any other company, remote bricking a phone because you had it repaired with 3rd party parts should be illegal. That kind of lock in is the BS this is attempting to resolve.