"Right to Repair" Law Now in Congress

Feb. 4, 2022

U.S. lawmakers are introducing "right to repair" legislation to ensure consumers can get vehicles, electronic devices, and agriculture equipment serviced by independent outlets.

A report in Automotive News says U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., has introduced legislation so that vehicle owners and independent repair shops have equal access to repair and maintenance tools on par with automakers' dealerships.

Separate legislation, called the Freedom to Repair Act, aims to reform copyright law to also make it easier for consumers to get repairs.

Public knowledge policy counsel Kathleen Burke said the bill would allow "consumers to repair their own devices without needing to get the Copyright Office’s permission every three years."