CD300: Right to Repair

You do not have the right to repair your own belongings because of intellectual property rights granted to corporations by Congress in 1998. In this episode, listen to the debate happening in Congress about if and how they should grant customers the right to repair and get a status update on the multiple efforts under way in the current Congress, including one with a good chance of becoming law.

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View the show notes on our website at https://congressionaldish.com/cd300-right-to-repair

Background Sources

Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes

CD269: NDAA 2023/Plan Ecuador

McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines

“McDonald’s Ice Cream Machine Hackers Say They Found the ‘Smoking Gun’ That Killed Their Startup.” Andy Greenberg. December 14, 2023. Wired.

“McDonald's Broken Ice Cream Machines Lead to ‘Right to Repair’ Lawsuit.” Joseph Fawbush. March 29, 2022. FindLaw.

John Deere

“How John Deere Hijacked Copyright Law To Keep You From Tinkering With Your Tractor.” Luke Hogg. January 8, 2024. Reason.

Internet of Things Updates and Maintenance

“Old devices, new dangers: The risks of unsupported IoT tech.” Márk Szabó. August 27, 2024. WeLiveSecurity.

Massachusetts Auto Repair Law

“Motor Vehicle Telematics System Notice Requirement.” Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General.

DoD’s Revolving Door

“Featured Revolver: Lloyd Austin.” OpenSecrets.

“Revolving Door: Mark Esper.” OpenSecrets.

“Boeing executive out, Raytheon lobbyist in to lead Pentagon.” Karl Evers-Hillstrom and Reid Champlin. June 18, 2019. OpenSecrets.

“Revolving Door: James Mattis.” OpenSecrets.

“General Dynamics Corp Board Member James N. Mattis.” Salary.com.

Military Right to Repair Issues

“The U.S. Military Has a 'Right to Repair' Problem.” Kyle Mizokami. February 11, 2020. Popular Mechanics.

“Even The American Military Is Struggling With Right-To-Repair.” Max Finkel. February 8, 2020. Jalopnik.

“Here’s One Reason the U.S. Military Can’t Fix Its Own Equipment.” Elle Ekman. November 20, 2019. The New York Times.

“Letter to the FTC Chairman: Military Acquisition, Procurement, and the Right to Repair.” Lucas Kunce and Elle Ekman. September 15, 2019.

Technological Protection Measures (TPMs)

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