this post was submitted on 30 May 2024

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718

Colorado enacts right-to-repair law banning restrictions on parts pairing, mirroring Oregon's ban (www.cpr.org)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

28 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary:

Colorado's new right-to-repair law allows residents to repair their cell phones, computers, and other devices.
The law requires manufacturers like Samsung and Apple to provide documentation, software, and tools to device owners and independent repair shops at the same prices as authorized repair providers.
The law prohibits manufacturers from restricting replacement parts and displaying misleading alerts about parts.
The law passed on partisan lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed, and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Exemptions to the law include video game consoles, medical devices, electric car chargers, and more.
Opponents of the law argue it could pose security risks and impact device reliability, while supporters believe it promotes consumer choice and reduces electronic waste.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 months ago

“Imagine if every time your car broke down, the only option you had for repair was the dealer. That's not a world any of us want to live in,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Democrat who is one of the bill’s sponsors, at an earlier committee hearing.

About that...

The law also excludes motor vehicles, but independent mechanics and car owners already have similar rights under a 2014 memorandum of understanding

Not sure if a "memorandum of understanding" has the same legal force behind it the bill does. Hope so.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Thoroughly enjoyed this read

[–] [email protected] 18 points 3 months ago (1 children)

"Those materials have to be made available at the same prices the manufacturer charges to authorized repair providers."

One screen order $189. Three or more screens $120 a piece.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Sounds like ebay will be busy

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

Facts.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The law passed on partisan lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed,

BoTh SiDeS tHo

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 months ago

Dead car battery...hmmm do you remember your radio code? Nope? New radio! Sorry!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 months ago

How can a state be so based

[–] [email protected] 28 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Why are there any exceptions to begin with

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

It sucks! I'd guess this was an attempt to get something on the books and maybe they go back for exemptions later. Article says an earlier bill only applied to wheelchairs and then later they expanded to include agricultural equipment.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I understand exception of medical devices where manufacturers carry huge responsibility if something goes wrong. But consoles???

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 months ago (2 children)

And car chargers?!? Hell level 2 chargers are glorified extension cords. Why should they get an exception?

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 months ago

and more

I bet they included farming equipment in the exemption list...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

I don’t know. Could still be safety concerns? In many districts/counties you can’t even change a light-switch yourself.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

I thought the restriction was CHARGING to replace a light switch as an unlicensed electrician, am I wrong? I've never heard of DIY being disallowed. The only restrictions I know of are needing to pull a permit for structural stuff and I'm in an area with pretty tight electrical regulations (EMT conduit, no Romex allowed)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

You could claim safety concerns in anything and everything. Doesn't mean that the manufacturer should have the right to intentionally make things that cannot be repaired due to drm.

In those counties that you cannot change a light switch on your own, do you have to call up the manufacturer of your home(and no other) and pay them to fix your light switch, and then have them say it's better to just buy a whole new house, this one is not worth fixing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

No, it has to be certified (by state?) electrician.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yes, exactly. State. Not the company that will profit more from you buying another house because their house is the only one allowed to have the cabinets and organization that you like. And have been using all your life.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

That’s because the state is essentially responsible for house safety- there are many codes the buildings have to satisfy. Not everything is regulated like that. There are no many codes (if at all) associated with chargers, and charger safety is responsibility of a company making the charger. So at least I can see some logic here. But with low power devices like console the risk is very low to have someone electrocuted because incorrect low voltage (compared to what car is using to charge) card is installed. Maybe there is a risk of fire?

[–] [email protected] 113 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The Entertainment Software Association had pushed for the exemption for game consoles, arguing that including them would have made it easier to add chips that allow people to play pirated games.

What a load of utter shit. It would allow consumers to fix their things without dealing with crooks. Take a good look at Asus, they’re only the latest example.