Under new right-to-repair law, Coloradans gain the power to repair their cell phones, computers, and more
www.cpr.org
The policy puts Colorado at the forefront of a movement to give consumers more control over the devices they own.

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.
  • entropicshart@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    111·
    5 months ago

    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.

    • DacoTaco@lemmy.worldEnglish
      510·
      5 months ago

      Before i reply, know that i am also against parts pairing at this point in time. Fuck apple for making it popular.

      Parts pairing does work against piracy to some level. Ps3’s blu ray drive was paired, and had checks to see if it was modded. Changes to the drive would make it not play any content because the pairing verification failed.
      Then there is the switch’ game cart slot. Its paired with the switch, and has firmware running on it. It also adds a layer of protection.
      They arent lying in that statement. What they arent saying is that it totally fucks with right to repair >>

      • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        13·
        5 months ago

        Yeah. There’s zero reason a disk drive with a recognized genuine serial tied to it shouldn’t work in any other system you stick it in that the system could verify online.

    • LesserAbe@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      5 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.

    • MxM111@kbin.social
      1·
      5 months ago

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

  • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    261·
    5 months ago

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

    BoTh SiDeS tHo

      • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        152·
        5 months ago

        I’m commenting on the very real phenomenon which is millions of people think there aren’t differences in the parties even though we see evidence all the time that there are

      • NateNate60@lemmy.worldEnglish
        22·
        5 months ago

        Would you rather have Manchin, who agrees with you on 10-20% of issues, or a Republican who agrees with you on 1% of issues and thinks you’re the Devil incarnate?

        “Neither” is not an option.

          • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            5 months ago

            You can and should criticize Democrats. A lot. But if you do it in a way to equates them to Republicans, that makes you a lying asshole. Don’t be one.

          • NateNate60@lemmy.worldEnglish
            21·
            5 months ago

            Feel free to criticise but understand that criticism is not free of consequences. Making public criticism of a political candidate makes it less likely that they will be elected. You can consider that reality and act accordingly and rationally.

            You do not need to respond to this comment with “Cool, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing,” because I don’t care. I respect your intelligence and I’m not here to start an argument. If you feel the need to get the last word in with a “clever” reply, feel free to do so.

  • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    18·
    5 months ago

    “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.

  • Stern@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    5 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.