Technology

Though there’s a carve-out for game consoles.

That carve out is so blatant, and so obvious, that I'm surprised that actually exists.

It really puts a negative light on the politicians who wrote the law for all of the voters to see.

I really hope there's some investigative reporting as to who wrote the law, and who wrote that clause, so we can identify them easier in the next election cycle.

How long until the Louis Rossmann video that tells us it's all rubbish?

“California is home to a number of device makers, most notably Apple, which came out in support of the bill after initially trying to stall it.”

Honestly just open up the laws around reverse engineering and prohibit software blocks that can't be removed for free.

That will cause actual competition in the repair market.

Afaik consoles are still exempt, so only a partial victory.

"Though there's a carve-out for games consoles" 🙄

Good on them for the rest of it, though, assuming it isn't total rubbish.

Is there anything in the Act that requires the cost of those tools and parts to be reasonable? Yes: "on fair and reasonable terms."

Is there anything that allows third parties to manufacture aftermarket tools and parts? I don't see anything in the Act that specifies that.

Fair and reasonable terms:

(4) “Fair and reasonable terms” means each of the following, as applicable:
(A) At costs and terms that are equivalent to the most favorable costs and terms under which the manufacturer offers the part, tool, or documentation to an authorized repair provider, accounting for any discount, rebate, convenient and timely means of delivery, means of enabling fully restored and updated functionality, rights of use, or other incentive or preference the manufacturer offers to an authorized repair provider.
(B) For documentation, including any relevant updates, that the documentation is made available at no charge, except that, when the documentation is requested in physical printed form, a charge may be included for the reasonable actual costs of preparing and sending the copy.
(C) For tools, that the tools are made available by the manufacturer at no charge and without imposing impediments to access or use of the tools to diagnose, maintain, or repair and enable full functionality of the product, or in a manner that impairs the efficient and cost-effective performance of any such diagnosis, maintenance, or repair, except that, when a tool is requested in physical form, a charge may be included for the reasonable, actual costs of preparing and sending the tool.
(D) If a manufacturer does not use an authorized repair provider, “fair and reasonable terms” means at a price that reflects the actual cost to the manufacturer to prepare and deliver the part, tool, or documentation, exclusive of any research and development costs incurred.

Finally, something that isn't vetoed

They need to ban manufacturers from making exclusive deals with their suppliers.

Up next, Apple deems all of it products one-time-use and completely abandons 1st party repair. They will then make all tools provided to 1st party repairers available to 3rd party repairers and be compliant with this new legislation. Zero tools is the answer unfortunately. More at 11.

Hey that's not bad

This is the best summary I could come up with:

Because California is one of the world’s largest economies, this bill may make it easier for people all over the US to repair their devices.

The law, which joins similar efforts in New York, Colorado, and Minnesota, is tougher than some of its predecessors.

Manufacturers must make available appropriate tools, parts, software, and documentation for seven years after production for devices priced above $100.

California is home to a number of device makers, most notably Apple, which came out in support of the bill after initially trying to stall it.

For instance, Google, also headquartered in California, recently confirmed that the Pixel 8 series will get seven years of spare parts — the same number the California bill mandates.

Though the bill is fairly sweeping, there are carve-outs for game consoles and alarm systems.

The original article contains 207 words, the summary contains 133 words. Saved 36%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!