In a follow up to a story we did last month where the FTC stated that "Warranty Void if Removed" stickers are BS, Motherboard has obtained copies of the letters sent to companies via a FoIA request. The companies that were warned in the letters were Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Hyundai, HTC, and ASUS.
The letter gives each company 30 days from April 9th to change its official warranty policy, stating:
"This letter places you on notice that violations of the Warranty and FTC Acts may result in legal action," the letters state in bold, adding that the FTC had reviewed warranty language on each manufacturers' websites and found it to be infringing. " FTC investigators have copied and preserved the online pages in question, and we plan to review your company's written warranty and promotional materials after 30 days. You should review the Warranty and FTC Acts and if necessary, revise your practices to comply with the Acts' requirements. By sending this letter, we do not waive the FTC's right to take law enforcement action and seek appropriate injunctive and monetary remedies against [company name] based on past or future violations."
Another step in the correct direction when it comes to the "right to repair." We will have to keep an eye out for what, if any changes these companies make to their policies as the 30 day deadline is coming fast. Thanks to erek for the story.
The only difference between the letters is that each calls out the specific language from each manufacturer that violates federal law, for example, Microsoft’s Xbox One warranty states “Microsoft is not responsible and this warranty does not apply if your Xbox One or Accessory is...repaired by anyone other than Microsoft.” The FTC letter specifically states that this type of language is illegal.
The letter gives each company 30 days from April 9th to change its official warranty policy, stating:
"This letter places you on notice that violations of the Warranty and FTC Acts may result in legal action," the letters state in bold, adding that the FTC had reviewed warranty language on each manufacturers' websites and found it to be infringing. " FTC investigators have copied and preserved the online pages in question, and we plan to review your company's written warranty and promotional materials after 30 days. You should review the Warranty and FTC Acts and if necessary, revise your practices to comply with the Acts' requirements. By sending this letter, we do not waive the FTC's right to take law enforcement action and seek appropriate injunctive and monetary remedies against [company name] based on past or future violations."
Another step in the correct direction when it comes to the "right to repair." We will have to keep an eye out for what, if any changes these companies make to their policies as the 30 day deadline is coming fast. Thanks to erek for the story.
The only difference between the letters is that each calls out the specific language from each manufacturer that violates federal law, for example, Microsoft’s Xbox One warranty states “Microsoft is not responsible and this warranty does not apply if your Xbox One or Accessory is...repaired by anyone other than Microsoft.” The FTC letter specifically states that this type of language is illegal.