Fight for Your Right (to Repair)

In his article, Sam Bonfiglio brings to light how the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in its current iteration implicates consumer’s right to repair their purchased devices. He argues that Section 1201 of the DMCA unfairly impedes upon both a consumer’s right to choose their desired service location as well as their right to attempt service themselves. He argues these restrictions ultimately force consumers to use a manufacturer’s licensed channel of service, effectively granting them a monopoly. The article advocates for the reintroduction of the Freedom to Repair Act to amend the DMCA to commercialize the market for these services while simultaneously protecting manufacturer’s interests.