Engadget Logo Engadget Japan version Apple and MS, efforts to prevent the enactment of the "right to repair" bill (Bloomberg report)

In the United States, a series of bills have been introduced regarding "the right to repair", the right of the user to have the purchased product repaired in a manner of his or her choice (typically by taking it to a non-manufacturer-authorized repair shop). I'm here. Specifically, it requires manufacturers to provide genuine repair parts and circuit diagrams to independent repair shops.

With the spread of remote work and home study due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the demand for tablets and Chromebooks is increasing, and sending broken devices to the manufacturer for repair takes time and money, and the shortage of semiconductors worsens. There is also a reason that the momentum is increasing because it is becoming more difficult to obtain new products.

However, tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are reportedly making a number of efforts to block the passage of those bills.

According to Bloomberg, in 2021 alone, 27 states in the U.S. considered ``right to repair'' bills, but more than half of them have already been rejected or dismissed. It has been outraged by lobbyists and trade groups representing tech giants, notably Apple, who argue that such laws can lead to device damage and self-harm by consumers trying to repair them. It is reported.

For example, Congressman Mia Gregerson of Washington State also said that when she introduced the "Right to Repair" bill, it was opposed by lobbyists representing MS, Google, Amazon, and Apple. Among them, Apple's lobbyists said that if the bill was withdrawn, they would support a repair program (classes) at a local university.

Apple also opposes the bill in Colorado and Nevada, where one independent repairer said iPads, which are in high demand in schools (more than 13,000 units in the area, 10-15% of which are (because it needs repair). The person claims that Apple opposes repair programs to get people to buy new devices.

While fighting the "Right to Repair" bill, Apple is rolling out certification programs for independent repairers around the world, including in Japan. The purpose of this is to provide genuine parts, tools, repair manuals, and diagnostic methods to non-authorized dealers so that they can receive the same quality as Apple retail stores and authorized service providers.

The program is free, but again, some parts, such as the iPad's display, are not available to independent vendors, making Apple and its authorized service providers the only option for repairs. is.

Another Bloomberg article reports that MS president Brad Smith presided over a meeting of lawmakers in Washington state that the ``Right to Repair'' bill threatened the company's intellectual property rights and was ``existentially endangered''. what he claimed to be. Interesting facts have also been reported, such as that unlike MS, where the company itself is involved, Apple has hired lobbyists and industry groups to engage in opposition movements.

The question posed by a senator, ``Why do I have to send my console back to Microsoft and wait weeks for it to be fixed when my Xbox fan breaks'' is a nod to many gamers. It may be the place.

Source: Bloomberg