Right to repair

The right to repair is the idea that once a consumer purchases a product, they can repair and make changes to it without the manufacturer. If a company has the exclusive rights to repair its products, it can charge higher prices. Apple, for example, requires a lengthy and expensive certification process to train independent electronic stores to fix their smartphones and laptops with official parts.

When companies don't support the right to repair, it encourages people to create more e-waste by buying new products when official support is discontinued. Some proposed laws have suggested requiring technology companies to make schematics and other information available to third-party repair shops. The ongoing debate over this issue has lead to many legal disputes between individuals and electronics companies.

In addition to physical repairs, many users attempt to override the software on their devices with methods like jailbreaking and rooting. While companies don't often recommend removing their software features, there are no laws in countries like the United States that prevent device owners from doing so.

Business terms, Hardware terms, Repair shop, Software Terms, Third-party