Attorney generals representing over half of the states in the USA and Guam sent a letter to congress pushing the issue of right-to-repair. They say that despite “widespread public support” important consumer protection bills haven’t moved forward. Other groups claim that it’s a grab for proprietary data.
The group of AGs wants Congress to pass two main pieces of legislation. The first is called the REPAIR Act and it requires automakers to provide the same access to data and maintenance tools that they do to their dealerships.
Another, called the SMART Act would reduce the time automakers can enforce patents on collision repair parts from 14 years to just two and a half against aftermarket suppliers. Both moves would effectively lower repair prices and widen the field of potential options for those that need repair and service work.
More: Auto Industry Lobbying Group Objects To West Virginia Law That Could Limit Over-The-Air Updates
Notably, the SMART Act wouldn’t change automakers’ ability to enforce design patents against rival automakers. Also, the REPAIR Act could improve access to components for those in the field of consumer electronics and farm equipment. Farmers with John Deere equipment won the right to repair back in January but the manufacturer left a huge loophole in the system to back out if legislation threatened to force its hand.
“Manufacturing of automobiles, digital devices and agricultural equipment is increasingly becoming more technologically advanced and built with more embedded electronics… OEMs often control access to these electronics parts, creating unfair restraint of trade and a monopoly on repair. This can harm consumers directly by driving up prices and is antithetical to a free market,” the AGs said.
Notably, and unsurprisingly, not all are in favor of the REPAIR act according to AutoNews. John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a group representing automakers, says “it’s entirely unnecessary.” According to him, “Seventy percent of post-warranty vehicle repairs happen at independent repair businesses. Automotive right-to-repair already exists.”
Instead, he believes the bill is really some sort of cover for the automotive aftermarket and repair industry to steal data from his clients. This entire fight covers a large swath of the industry so it seems likely that there’s truth on both sides. How do you feel? Let us know in the comments below.
