Ukrainian Tractor Hackers

That's pretty disgusting. Either you own the tractor or you don't.

3rd party repair can, does and should void all manufacturer warranties.

I don't disagree. But what Deere is attempting goes much further than that.

Howso?  How is this different from, say, Apple or an under-warranty automobile?

Deere warranties run 2-4 years.

Having an automobile repaired or serviced by an independent shop does not void your warranty. And it should not. John Deere seems to be taking business tips from the computer industry.

Quote :

"You want to replace a transmission and you take it to an independent mechanic—he can put in the new transmission but the tractor can't drive out of the shop. Deere charges $230, plus $130 an hour for a technician to drive out and plug a connector into their USB port to authorize the part."

If Deere wants to say that the tractor is no longer covered by the warranty, fine. But to actually disable the machine, holding it hostage, is more than a bit obnoxious.

I'm sure that people who lose a transmission while the tractor is under warranty will have Deere do the work. But after warranty, there's no good reason for Deere being involved at all, if that's the owner's wishes.

Even while the tractor is still under warranty, if the owner wants a local mechanic to do the work because Deere can't get to it soon enough, or if they have to have the tractor hauled hundreds of miles to a Deere shop, there should be nothing on the tractor that keeps it from operating after repairs. Of course, the rebuilt transmission would not be covered by Deere's warranty. But the fucking tractor should not be disabled by Deere's obstruction.

Yeah, no argument. But wasn't Deere singled out by Trump as the ideal American business?

Monopolists who run an extortion racket? Yeah, right up his alley.

Different but similar.

Supreme Court Printer Cartridge Case Could Be the Citizens United of Products

I've been following that case for a few years. It has never had a clear ruling. That would be a terrible precedent to set. It's bad enough that many manufactured items today cannot be reasonably repaired (phones, etc), but to deny consumers the right to repair those items which can be repaired is despicable. God damn it, when I buy something it's mine. I don't care what is in small print on the shrink wrap - which I never read.

In defense (of the indefensible Lexmark lawsuit) I once tried having Hewlett Packard printer cartridges reloaded, and ended up with a ruint printer and many ruint pieces of paper. As I said, 3rd party repairs can, will and should void all manufacturer warranties.