Apple did the “responsible thing” halting the reopening of about a third of its U.S. stories in markets where COVID-19 cases are spiking, said iFixit. But not every repair issue “requires a trip to an Apple Store, or mailing a device to a distant Apple service center,” said the right-to-repair firm Friday. “You can replace your own iPhone battery, screen, or even a speaker or a camera -- they’re safe beginner-friendly repairs that you can do at home.” It’s offering $5 discounts on purchases exceeding $20 on all Apple parts, “Fix Kits” and toolkits “while Apple staff and customers stay safe.” Buyers need only enter the coupon code "STAYHOME" at checkout.

Consumers are “losing the freedom to fix their things,” reported the Open Markets Institute on right-to-repair. Manufacturers “leverage a wide array of legal tactics, predatory designs, and even lawbreaking” to force the public to use in-network repair services instead of independent or do-it-yourself repair, OMI said Monday. “A deadly combination of anemic antitrust enforcement and technological development has allowed manufacturers to purposefully adopt exclusionary practices and cut off the tools necessary for repair.” It urged lawmakers to “ensure that consumers have access to all necessary parts, manuals, and tools, as well as to diagnostic and service software to repair their products.” It wants the FTC to enforce the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to thwart manufacturers from “illegally limiting or restricting product warranties." The agency organized a “Nixing the Fix” workshop last summer (see 1907160058). It took no action. There has been state legislation.

That Nikon is “killing” its authorized repair network after March 31 cries out for the enactment of right-to-repair legislation, blogged iFixit Monday. Nikon won’t renew the contracts of 15 factory-authorized repair shops nationally and will channel service functions to facilities it runs in Los Angeles and Long Island, New York, said iFixit. “In addition to parts, tools, manuals, and training on the latest models at Nikon’s facilities, repair shops will likely lose access to Nikon’s proprietary calibration software.” This typifies “the kind of repair restrictions” that right-to-repair legislation would curb, said iFixit. “Rather than demand that customers ship their cameras to one of only two places in the U.S. with official parts and tools, Right to Repair laws would provide repair shops and individuals access to the same equipment as used by Nikon’s facilities.” Nikon didn’t comment Tuesday.

Consumers should have the freedom to buy spare parts and “choose who performs repairs” when their devices fail, commented Californian Gary Linsky in the FTC’s Nixing the Fix proceeding, posted Monday in docket FTC-2019-0013. The agency is probing whether manufacturers’ third-party repair restrictions undercut the consumer protections in the 1975 Moss-Magnuson Warranty Act (see 1903130060). It’s accepting comments in the docket through Sept. 16. Right to repair is “good policy” for “keeping prices competitive and reducing waste,” said Linsky. As a former consumer electronics retailer, “I have seen countless examples of devices and equipment worth hundreds of dollars scrapped due to hindered access to repairs,” that easily could have been fixed “with a part that costs a few dollars at most,” he said. “Consumers think little about these impediments” when buying a device “but feel stuck when faced with a need for repair,” he said. “Without the access to parts and outside repairers the manufacturers are in effect leasing you the product until a fault occurs, at which time, by controlling repair access and price, they economically prematurely obsolete your device.” Most retailers have phased out repairs, and the “major national chains” tell their customers to fend for themselves with the manufacturer, said Linsky.

The marketing point man for Experimax, a chain of independent repair shops, alleges Google Ads recently began pulling down his franchisees' local advertising as a possible “handshake” with consumer tech companies that oppose third-party repair. “While customers find us organically very often, Google Ads allow us to stay competitive with larger retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Apple,” commented Joshua Muir, Experimax brand development manager, in a post Friday in the FTC’s "Nixing the Fix" docket (FTC-2019-0013). The agency is probing whether manufacturer restrictions on third-party repair can undercut the consumer protections in the 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. It had a July 16 workshop (see 1907160058) and is accepting comments in the docket through Sept. 16. “Limiting our ability to post ads with Google (which is, by and large, the biggest search company) is a hindrance to our growth,” said Muir, who supervises the advertising of 85 franchised Experimax locations in 29 states: “This seems more of a handshake between Google and electronics manufacture(s) than protecting the general population from scams, etc.” Experimax stores are “trusted, local, retail locations” that specialize in repairing computers, phones and tablets, said Muir. “Whether through my stores, a competitor, or by their own means, people should have the right to repair their products without needing approval from or being restricted by the manufacturer. I am not required to go to a branded car dealership to get an oil change, so why must anyone be required to go to the original manufacturer to get a battery or screen replaced in their electronics?” Google didn’t reply to emails. "No comment," emailed an FTC spokesperson Saturday after we asked if the agency will look into Muir’s allegations.