[herr_oberst]

Here's an overview of what Apple has done to prevent users from fixing their own computers and phones, especially with third party parts. I have no doubts that John Deere is using similar techniques and that car manufacturers are aware of these methods of using software and hardware to keep the consumer from accessing the guts of a product that the consumer arguably "owns". I'm especially intrigued about Apple slowing down phones if battery life has dipped below a certain level. I've heard of car manufacturers like Honda crippling the horsepower of their cars if the transmission has been replaced under warranty.

Let's face it. It's all a game, and it's easy to be cynical when the dealer gets to draw from the bottom of a completely different deck.

So, yeah, we can shore up the right to repair laws, but the manufacturer will just throw down more and more roadblocks to frustrate the consumer.