Despite the best efforts of automakers and companies like Apple, states continue to push forward with popular “right to repair” reforms that make it easier and more affordable for consu…
Cool, I feel like there are probably some loopholes but its a step in the right direction.
My only concern is that having different laws for each state may make it hard for companies to comply and it may even lead to “location locked” devices.
I doubt it, they’ll probably just go for the least common denominator, which is generally what happens with California’s laws (I see lots of “this may cause cancer in California” warnings on stuff, and I’ve never lived in Cali). Or the USB-C thing on iPhones due to EU laws and cookie banners due to EU and Cali laws.
That would only be a concern if Colorado is the only market since they’re pretty small, but we’re seeing traction in other states, so we’re more likely to see companies just roll out most things to most states.
They will likely discriminate a bit if you don’t live in one of the states (e.g. on warranties), but I doubt they’ll have a state filter for parts and whatnot because that probably costs more than just rolling it out to everyone.
My only concern is that having different laws for each state may make it hard for companies to comply and it may even lead to “location locked” devices.
Given how difficult it is to pass consumer protection laws without lots of loopholes, it’s possible that the different laws in each region could work to our advantage: A corporation might sensibly decide to observe all the protections globally, rather than exploiting regional exceptions and loopholes, making the patchwork of laws act almost like a whole blanket. That wouldn’t be legally enforced, of course, but it would be better than nothing.
In principle, all these state laws could also inform creation of a single, more comprehensive federal law. Here’s hoping.
Cool, I feel like there are probably some loopholes but its a step in the right direction.
My only concern is that having different laws for each state may make it hard for companies to comply and it may even lead to “location locked” devices.
I doubt it, they’ll probably just go for the least common denominator, which is generally what happens with California’s laws (I see lots of “this may cause cancer in California” warnings on stuff, and I’ve never lived in Cali). Or the USB-C thing on iPhones due to EU laws and cookie banners due to EU and Cali laws.
That would only be a concern if Colorado is the only market since they’re pretty small, but we’re seeing traction in other states, so we’re more likely to see companies just roll out most things to most states.
They will likely discriminate a bit if you don’t live in one of the states (e.g. on warranties), but I doubt they’ll have a state filter for parts and whatnot because that probably costs more than just rolling it out to everyone.
Given how difficult it is to pass consumer protection laws without lots of loopholes, it’s possible that the different laws in each region could work to our advantage: A corporation might sensibly decide to observe all the protections globally, rather than exploiting regional exceptions and loopholes, making the patchwork of laws act almost like a whole blanket. That wouldn’t be legally enforced, of course, but it would be better than nothing.
In principle, all these state laws could also inform creation of a single, more comprehensive federal law. Here’s hoping.