Carmakers Want To Use Copyright Law To Make Working On Your Car Illegal

[atalarico]

I...just...can't...even...whhhatttttt???


Carmakers Want To Use Copyright Law To Make Working On Your Car Illegal

The individual mechanic/tinkerer/explorer, though, isn’t so lucky, as they stick to the line that

“vehicles are so intertwined that they shouldn’t (for security and safety and environmental reasons) be allowed to be tinkered with.”
... which, of course, I still have a problem with.

Also, when I read through their rebuttal to the EFF’s requests for exemptions, I found that one of their major arguments centered around this idea:

a. Proponents have failed to prove that vehicle owners are owners of copies of Electronic Control Unit (“ECU”) firmware within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. § 117.
... meaning, essentially, that since you don’t technically “own” the code in your ECU (you’re a licensee), you can’t modify or do anything to or with that code. And I have issues with that concept. Sure, legally, they back it up with a number of precedents from the computer and software industry ( Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc, for example, is cited), that doesn’t mean I have to like that idea.

This is absolutely insane. Write anyone you can about this. The more publicity we can put on this, the better.

 

[A/V1]

Damn, that's retarded. Just another way the stealerships will try to have us by the balls. "You can ONLY have work done HERE, and it MUST be done HERE!"

I checked the date on the article and it's today. We'll have to see what kind of uproar this causes. I know one thing though, I'll be a law-breaker if they decide to make working on your car, or modifying your car illegal! Or if they say it's only illegal on new cars starting... now, I will be holding on to my vehicles as long as they make parts for them.

Absolutely insane! And assenine! Frankly, I don't think it'll ever happen. I honestly don't think our economy could handle a decision like that. It's bad enough that many workers can hardly afford to have a car to even get them to work, etc, but now you throw in they have to pay dealership rates for anything and everything when they need or want ANYTHING done on their vehicles.

It'll never happen.

 

[05Rrunner]

The huge aftermarket industry including SEMA, tire manufacturers , customizing shops, that make a ton of profit on aftermarket stuff will never never allow this to happen way to much money involved. they amended the article before it was even published , the guy is backpedaling already.The power of tire companies alone could crush this if needed. Think about how this would affect AutoZone, Kragen , O'Reilly those kind of places. their lobbying and government friends are not going to allow that to happen.

 

[A/V1]

Another article on it

Automakers to gearheads: Stop repairing cars

 

[Jeff614]

The huge aftermarket industry including SEMA, tire manufacturers , customizing shops, that make a ton of profit on aftermarket stuff will never never allow this to happen way to much money involved. they amended the article before it was even published , the guy is backpedaling already.The power of tire companies alone could crush this if needed. Think about how this would affect AutoZone, Kragen , O'Reilly those kind of places. their lobbying and government friends are not going to allow that to happen.

Totally agree. Nice try OEM's. Don't see how that will ever happen though but not a lawyer either. Not to say that newer vehicles won't be designed to make work on them extremely difficult by all but their own shops. Aren't there already a few niche vehicles that are already stuck with this, i.e. Tesla's? And I suppose the clientele who purchase those vehicles, and others, seem like the type that would automatically have the dealership do all their work anyways.

My mom treated her GX like this. While they're prices for even the most routine work were rather high at least they treated you well. Free Lexus loaner if desired with no charge for fuel; lounge with free food, recliners, computers, kids area, etc... This in contrast to Ford where after taking a F250 diesel in for recurring emissions problems under warranty, was rewarded with either a 19" tv, and a handful of cheap chairs, or a beat up Ford Focus for $15 a day plus fuel. Witnessed countless arguments between poor guys in for warranty work who needed their truck for work and would've been happy with even a Ranger or beatup 1/2 ton be offered a subcompact instead.

Makes me so love my 4Runner even more with its relative ease of maintenance and (knockwood) never having been to a dealers shop.

- Jeff