It’s repair season as 21+ states consider Right to Repair legislation for 2021.
We launched a new merchandise store.
John Deere was caught like a deer in the headlights
The Google Pixel 4 has an identity crisis.
One of the few contests that were called on election day was “Question 1” in Massachusetts -- the Right to Repair for automobiles. It passed easily at 75% to 25%! Despite nearly $26 million in negative advertising and nearly equal sums from supporters, consumers confidently demanded they be in control of how, when, and where they have their automobiles repaired. It was a huge win for Right to Repair as a concept and should make it far easier for our legislative sponsors in many states to proceed to expand R2R for all gadgets and gizmos other than those with license plates.
All of us at The Repair Association have been hugely busy this month just keeping up with media requests. We rarely see any opposition pieces. Maybe 1 in 100. Progress is visible. Better yet - national media in both TV and print have come out with intelligent and well-researched pieces about how we need to be able to fix our stuff. More is in the works -- so follow us on Twitter @repaircoalition, Linkedin Repair.org, Facebook Repair.org and join our SLACK.
We petitioned Google against their ad ban
Critical Medical Infrastructure Act of 2020 introduced
We filed for broader DRM exemptions
Planning for the 2021 campaigning season
Auto R2R ignites media barrage about cyber-security in MA
August 2020
In This Edition:
FTC gets Funding for Nixing the Fix Report
Apple doesn't have a Right to Repair Policy
Congress starts to get tough on big tech
Arizona leads a multi-state probe into "Batterygate"
Medical Repair bill heads to US Senate
GE Refrigerators were found to have RFID chips in their water filters - with a expiration date. If the filter is not replaced with a GE Original ($$$$), the icemaker and chilled water dispenser won't work. I'm quoted in as saying "This is a stupid, stupid thing to do" and I stand by my remarks.
Hacks have popped up to resolve this problem -- such as in Hackaday. Fear not - the US Copyright Office ruled in 2018 that its legal to hack your home appliances.
April 2020
March 2020
Massachusetts and Hawaii Committees move forward with legislation
Right to Repair legislation continues to make its way through state governments across the country. In Hawaii, members of the Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee voted unanimously to advance a repair bill.
Right to Repair is off to a great start in 2020. By the end of January we expect to be juggling 15-20 bills. Every state is in play. There are no wasted efforts.
There are Four Ways to Help Push Right to Repair over the Finish Line: