[s-cars] US-MA legislative alert: Right To Repair bill

[Brian K. Ullrich]

Freakin' MA. Why am I not surprised? In one sense, they are ALL for the
diversity and liberty of any person, yet in another, they actually consider
restricting the ability of their own constituency to repair their own
vehicles in a cost effective manner.

You know, now that I think about it, there is just so much wrong with this.
How exactly would the manufacturer enforce it? Create "MA" cars? That works
in limited capacity, where changes are minor, universal, and the market is
large enough to justify it (a la "CA" emissions cars). I don't see how that
would work with what is being discussed here.

Besides, doesn't buying the automobile give you a de facto license to repair
it? Or shouldn't it?

This whole thing is disgusting to me. But then again, I'm from Texas.

OK...off my soapbox. I'm sure I've overspoken, or worn out my welcome on
this topic, but it just irks me that there are some states whose political
climate is so polarized as to even consider such a thing.

OK...now I'm really done. I'm retreating into my den filled with hunting
trophies, life-sized wax figures of LBJ and Sam Rayburn, smelling of Lone
Star Beer brewed with pure Artesian water, and mesquite-smoked BBQ. I'll be
hugging my guns, my dog, and my Audis. And remembering the day of the
Conservative Democrat.

-----Original Message-----
From: Brett Dikeman [mailto:brett.dikeman at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 6:17 PM
To: 200q20V mailing list; quattro at audifans.com; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: US-MA legislative alert: Right To Repair bill

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00/ht00282.htm
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2010/02/right_to_repair.html

It just cleared committee- and moves to voting/discussion THURSDAY in
the MA Senate.

If you live in MA, PLEASE WRITE YOUR STATE SENATOR NOW.  Fax, email,
call, whatever (actual written notes tend to impress the most.)  Call
'em too, even if you write.  Get your local independent mechanic to do
the same.

As someone who owns a (non-Audi) vehicle which suffers from pretty
horrendous manufacturer lock-in on diagnostics, repair info- even
firmware (a problem when modules/parts bought from the manufacturer
have no firmware, and firmware is coded to individual vehicles!) this
IS A PROBLEM.

 Manufacturers are doing everything in their power to lock out (or
'tax') both owners and indie shops and non-dealer service chains.  A
couple years ago Audi was working on piezo-electric bolts for
assemblies...which would only operate with tools that authenticated
themselves to the BOLT!  Some day you may not even be able to take
apart your car without paying a license fee.  They are fighting the
'right to repair' movement tooth and nail, claiming it would expose
trade secrets and (horrors!) allow other companies to MAKE PARTS and
COMPETE!   I can hear your screams of horror now at the thought of
facing CHOICE when buying parts...

There's a large coalition of parts/service/small business associations
and chains behind this push, and we can only benefit as owners (I hate
the word "consumer") and DIY'ers. Check in your state to see if
there's a similar bill afoot.  More info on the coalition:
http://www.righttorepair.org/


-Brett
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