Right to Repair

The so-called “right to repair” stems from an activist movement, seeking access to sophisticated coding and diagnostic information needed for the aftermarket repair or modification of goods. These repairs cross a wide range of industries, including cell phones, computers, cars, medical devices, industrial and agricultural equipment, and countless others. The crux of the movement’s position is that “if you bought it, you should own it,” meaning consumers should have the right to use, modify, and repair their property whenever, wherever, and however they want.

At first glance, this is an appealing concept, but on closer review, implementation would create far-reaching consequences across almost all sectors of industry. The widespread dissemination of proprietary information could result in dire personal safety and security threats. Even though the movement is less than 10 years old, many industry sectors and lawmakers have been unsure how to respond and inconsistent in their approach. The movement, however, continues to grow, with many of its supporters holding high rankings in Federal and State Governments. To help bring clarity and certainty for our clients in navigating this ever-changing issue, Butler Snow’s right-to-repair experts work hand-in-hand with them and manufacturers across all sectors to chart the best course possible for them.