Watershed Moment: Apple's Approval of Right to Repair in California
For years, we've been fighting for you to have the right to repair your stuff, and it's finally paying off. In a move that amounts to the collapse of the Berlin Wall of tech monopolies, Apple has officially approved California's right to repair bill, SB 244.
A long wait
The iFixit team and an incredible coalition have spent the better part of two decades defending your right to repair your belongings. From our first teardowns to the lobbying we did behind the scenes, it has been a long and difficult journey. But this approval marks a radical change. Apple, one of the strongest opponents of right to repair legislation, has finally made up its mind. Let's talk about what this means for us creators, tinkerers and repairers.
SB 244 is a landmark law that could set the standard for the rest of the country. Beyond access to parts and tools, this bill requires manufacturers to make repair materials available for a specified period after the product was last manufactured. It's not just about giving you the freedom to replace a broken screen or change a faulty battery: it's about creating a culture of longevity and sustainability.
If passed, this bill will closely follow the laws of Colorado, New York and Minnesota. One difference with the California bill is that enforcement is not solely centralized at the state level. Cities and counties can also sue non-compliant manufacturers. This creates a grassroots level of enforcement, allowing local communities to take matters into their own hands. Think what this means for local repair shops and community crafting spaces! As we move from advocacy to implementation, it will take a village of tinkerers to hold manufacturers accountable to their new obligations.
A wealth of repair resources
One of the most interesting aspects of this bill for manufacturers is the availability of repair manuals and diagnostic tools. These aren't just great for fixing things, they're an amazing resource for understanding how things work. I foresee a renaissance in the creator community as people reverse-engineer products, invent new hacks, and reuse otherwise obsolete technology.
It will also drive innovation in the repair industry. Entrepreneurs now have a chance to compete with big business. If we succeed in passing the 1201 reform, I expect an explosion of third-party repair tools and apps.
We cannot rest on our laurels. The SB 244 represents a giant step forward, but it is not the end of the road. We need to focus on areas that the bill does not cover, such as games consoles and ensuring that calibration tools are available without internet access. There is still a lot of work to do, and our coalition is more motivated than ever to keep moving forward.
A federal solution
Of course, California is only one state. And while we're making progress across the country (about 30 states have introduced bills this year), we'd like to address this nationally as well. The main federal obstacle to DIY is a small provision inserted into the DMCA, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Section 1201 of this law prohibits bypassing software locks on devices, even if you do so for a perfectly legitimate purpose...
For years, we've been fighting for you to have the right to repair your stuff, and it's finally paying off. In a move that amounts to the collapse of the Berlin Wall of tech monopolies, Apple has officially approved California's right to repair bill, SB 244.
A long wait
The iFixit team and an incredible coalition have spent the better part of two decades defending your right to repair your belongings. From our first teardowns to the lobbying we did behind the scenes, it has been a long and difficult journey. But this approval marks a radical change. Apple, one of the strongest opponents of right to repair legislation, has finally made up its mind. Let's talk about what this means for us creators, tinkerers and repairers.
SB 244 is a landmark law that could set the standard for the rest of the country. Beyond access to parts and tools, this bill requires manufacturers to make repair materials available for a specified period after the product was last manufactured. It's not just about giving you the freedom to replace a broken screen or change a faulty battery: it's about creating a culture of longevity and sustainability.
If passed, this bill will closely follow the laws of Colorado, New York and Minnesota. One difference with the California bill is that enforcement is not solely centralized at the state level. Cities and counties can also sue non-compliant manufacturers. This creates a grassroots level of enforcement, allowing local communities to take matters into their own hands. Think what this means for local repair shops and community crafting spaces! As we move from advocacy to implementation, it will take a village of tinkerers to hold manufacturers accountable to their new obligations.
A wealth of repair resources
One of the most interesting aspects of this bill for manufacturers is the availability of repair manuals and diagnostic tools. These aren't just great for fixing things, they're an amazing resource for understanding how things work. I foresee a renaissance in the creator community as people reverse-engineer products, invent new hacks, and reuse otherwise obsolete technology.
It will also drive innovation in the repair industry. Entrepreneurs now have a chance to compete with big business. If we succeed in passing the 1201 reform, I expect an explosion of third-party repair tools and apps.
We cannot rest on our laurels. The SB 244 represents a giant step forward, but it is not the end of the road. We need to focus on areas that the bill does not cover, such as games consoles and ensuring that calibration tools are available without internet access. There is still a lot of work to do, and our coalition is more motivated than ever to keep moving forward.
A federal solution
Of course, California is only one state. And while we're making progress across the country (about 30 states have introduced bills this year), we'd like to address this nationally as well. The main federal obstacle to DIY is a small provision inserted into the DMCA, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Section 1201 of this law prohibits bypassing software locks on devices, even if you do so for a perfectly legitimate purpose...
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