The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has voiced significant concern regarding exemptions suggested for copyright laws, which would permit the circumvention of protective measures in industrial repair. This issue is at the heart of the escalating “right-to-repair” debate. The movement has seen rising support from consumers and small repair shops who advocate for the freedom to fix and diagnose their own machines and vehicles, free from the limitations imposed by manufacturers. NAM argues that these proposed legal changes could destabilize the intellectual property rights that form the core of their industry. They assert that not only could this harm manufacturers by undermining the protections for their innovations, but it could also inadvertently pose risks to consumers. Both safety and the integrity of equipment could be compromised if repairs are not conducted according to manufacturer standards, NAM suggests, pointing to potential unintended consequences of such legislative adjustments.
NAM’s Testimony Against Exemptions
Charles Crain, NAM’s Vice President of Domestic Policy, has become the face of the organization’s dissent by testifying before the U.S. Copyright Office. He underscored that the scope of the proposed exemptions is overreaching, potentially exposing companies to risks related to the leakage of proprietary information. Crain highlighted the concern that these legal adjustments may lead to extensive consumer safety issues and unauthorized alterations that could damage the reputation of manufacturers. He argued that the current system, whereby equipment manufacturers provide necessary tools for repairs, is adequate, thereby making the proposed changes unnecessary and potentially harmful.Repair: A Non-Issue, According to NAM
Advocates of right-to-repair argue that current policies unjustly restrict equipment owners from fixing their own products. Meanwhile, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) counters that the proposed legal changes are unnecessary, as manufacturers already fulfill repair needs via authorized avenues. NAM insists that giving wide-ranging exemptions would undermine critical intellectual property rights that are crucial for manufacturers’ success. The organization contends that it is essential to preserve existing copyright laws to safeguard the innovation in manufacturing and the well-being of those in the production and repair ecosystems. They advocate for maintaining the current state of affairs to protect the industry’s creativity and the mutual interests of stakeholders in manufacturing and repair.
