As careful as we might try to be with our electronics, sometimes accidents happen – like cracked screens. Also, as our electronic devices age, they also tend to experience other problems such as dead batteries.
When such problems arise, we often find ourselves having to take in our devices to a store location to get repaired, rather than doing them at home ourselves. We may find that it’s an odyssey getting a simple repair done on an electronic.
Not only do we pay dearly for a repair, but as consumers, we’re often kept in the dark about what the repair entails or why it’s taking so long and costing so much. However, all that is about to change for those living in the state of New York.
The New York State Legislature has just passed a bill called the “Right to Repair” Act, which specifically targets the secrecy that sometimes comes with electronic repair. The bill, which is also called Senate Bill S4104A, has been passed though both legislation houses and is waiting for the governor to sign it.
If signed, the law will then require that manufacturers of digital electronics provide non-trade secret diagnostic and repair information to their consumers as well as third-party repair retailers. This means that those consumers who have the knowledge to repair their own devices will find it so much easier to do so without trade agreements between manufacturers producers of parts making it impossible to source parts for home repairs.
This new bill covers mainly “digital electronic equipment,” however it also extends to other items such as motor vehicles, home appliances, medical devices, public safety communications equipment, agriculture equipment, and off-road equipment.
Once it becomes law, the prices of repairs will also hopefully begin to decrease because of the breaking up of the manufacturing monopoly that there is on parts, and third-party retailers will have an easier time entering the market with with own equipment and services. Even though it would be a New York law, thanks to technology, the release of the information will most likely get out onto the internet where other consumers in other states will be able to access information.
Hopefully, this will see a change across the board for everyone. What do you think of the new law in New York? Let us know!