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submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

The situation is a heavy machinery example of something that happens across most categories of electronics, from phones, laptops, health devices, and wearables to tractors and, apparently, trains. In this case, NEWAG, the manufacturer of the Impuls family of trains, put code in the train’s control systems that prevented them from running if a GPS tracker detected that it spent a certain number of days in an independent repair company’s maintenance center, and also prevented it from running if certain components had been replaced without a manufacturer-approved serial number.

The problem was so bad that an infrastructure trade publication in Poland called Rynek Kolejowy picked up on the mysterious issues over the summer, and said that the lack of working trains was beginning to impact service: “Four vehicles after level P3-2 repair cannot be started. At this moment, it is not known what caused the failure. The lack of units is a serious problem for the carrier and passengers, because shorter trains are sent on routes.”

Very good article, I'd recommend reading it. I hope the court rules against NEWAG and sets a precedent for right to repair.

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[-] [email protected] 51 points 7 months ago

Modifying the software of a device YOU OWN, should never be illegal in and of itself.

[-] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago

Absolutely. Maybe an exception for video game multiplayer cheating, but that's the only thing I can think of. Any other situation I can think of just enriches the computer to the massive detriment of the user.

[-] [email protected] 22 points 7 months ago

Force modified clients in a seperate lobby. Mods can be fun and extend shelflife of games immensly.

[-] [email protected] 15 points 7 months ago

And allow selfhosting servers for (at least after) when the publisher/developer stops supporting the game.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago

abandoned software should be public domain, including server code and the tools for maintaining and updating it.

really the workers should own the means of production and all that stuff should be public from hello world, but we're talking about some transitional steps i guess.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

I agree and I wish, I think the tricky part would be defining the criteria to what constitutes "abandomware". Is it the stop of the sale? The shutdown of the attestation servers, the shutdown of the multiplayer servers (and in that case what about single player games)? I can only imagine the creativity of publishers pretending their game is not abandonware yet it practically being so.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

yeah it's a little tricky to put that sentiment into law... and to some extent we wouldn't need to if copyright law wasn't just disney's regulatory capture.

[-] [email protected] 12 points 7 months ago

No, that shouldn't be illegal either. Against the rules of a server and getting you kicked out of that server, sure.

[-] [email protected] 11 points 7 months ago

Is multiplayer cheating illegal? They have the right to kick you off their servers, but I'd be surprised if it's a criminal offense or anyone has ever had a case brought against them.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

i'd be ok with videogame cheaters being executed by the state

[-] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Yeah I don't think it is. I was just trying to think of edge cases.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

cheating is a problem but, actually making it illegal? nah man, I think that's too far.

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this post was submitted on 14 Dec 2023
317 points (99.7% liked)

Right to Repair

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Whether it be electronics, automobiles or medical equipment, the manufacturers should not be able to horde “oem” parts, render your stuff useless if you repair it with aftermarket parts, or hide schematics of their products.

I Fix It Repair Manifesto

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