WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR STUFF BREAKS?
IT USED TO BE THAT WHEN THINGS WOULD BREAK THERE WOULD BE SOMEONE YOU COULD CALL TO REPAIR IT. TODAY, MANY COMPANIES HAVE MOVED TO A DISPOSABLE PRODUCT MODEL, IN WHICH PRODUCTS ARE THROWN AWAY AND YOU JUST BUY A NEW ONE INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT. IN FACT; THESE COMPANIES DO NOT EVEN MAKE REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT.
RIGHT TO REPAIR
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WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?
THE US ALONE GENERATES NEARLY 7 MILLION TONS OF E-WASTE ANNUALLY. SOME OF THESE DEVICES COULD EITHER BE REPAIRED OR REFURBISHED AND RESOLD INSTEAD OF ENDING UP IN A LANDFILL.
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WHAT DOES RIGHT TO REPAIR DO?
RIGHT TO REPAIR WOULD ALLOW CONSUMERS AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS TO OBTAIN THE PARTS AND SCHEMATICS NECESSARY TO REPAIR CONSUMER AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS.
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WHAT RIGHT TO REPAIR DOES NOT DO
RIGHT TO REPAIR DOES NOT FORCE CONSUMERS TO REPAIR THEIR DEVICES. IT ONLY GIVES THEM THE OPTION.
IT ALSO DOES NOT VIOLATE PROTECTIONS OF IP RIGHTS SINCE IT ONLY ALLOWS FOR THE REPAIR OR REFURBISHMENT OF PRODUCTS SOLD IN THE US. ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION OUTSIDE OF THAT PURPOSE (EXCEPT FOR FAIR USE) IS AGAINST THE LAW.
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WHAT IS COVERED UNDER RIGHT TO REPAIR
RIGHT TO REPAIR IS DESIGNED TO COVER MOST PRODUCTS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, FROM SMARTPHONES TO TRACTORS, AND EVEN ICE CREAM MACHINES.
