On Wednesday, U.S. Representatives Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) and Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) introduced the Freedom to Repair Act, legislation to protect the right to repair the things we own.
Currently, some companies, ranging from Big Tech to Big Ag, are abusing copyright law to deny people the right to repair their own devices or take them to locally-owned repair shops, which can subject these small businesses to civil or criminal penalties. To guarantee the freedom to repair, this legislation would legalize repairing what you own or taking it to the repair shop of your choice.
Spartz
“Some large corporations have been taking advantage of American consumers with unduly burdensome repair restrictions,” Rep. Spartz said. “It’s time to level the playing field for small businesses, mechanics, farmers, and consumers. We have to strike the right balance. When Americans purchase a product, it should never be assumed that they also agree to the manufacturer performing all the maintenance of the product, regardless of cost. I’m honored to work with Rep. Jones on this initiative on a bipartisan basis.”
“For far too long, federal copyright law has allowed the most powerful corporations in the world to control who repairs what we own,” Rep. Jones said. “By entrenching the power of these major corporations, repair restrictions threaten our economy, including the economic well-being of American consumers and small businesses. It’s time for a change, which is why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Spartz to take back control and secure the right of all Americans to repair what is rightfully theirs.”
Click here to read the full text of the bill.