Bill Overview
Title: Freedom to Repair Act of 2022
Description: This bill exempts actions related to the repair of digital electronic equipment from certain copyright-related prohibitions. Generally, current federal copyright law prohibits (1) circumventing technological measures (e.g., copy protection technology) that effectively control access to a copyright-protected work; or (2) trafficking (e.g., manufacturing or importing) in products, technologies, or services primarily designed or produced for such acts of circumvention. Under this bill, such an act of circumvention or trafficking shall not be prohibited if the act is for the purpose of diagnosing, maintaining, or repairing digital electronic equipment. However, this bill shall not apply to (1) a manufacturer or distributor of a medical device or digital electronic product (or embedded software) manufactured for use in a medical setting, or (2) any product or service offered by such a manufacturer or distributor.
Sponsors: Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals and businesses involved in or relying on the repair of digital electronic equipment
Estimated Size: 250000000
- The Freedom to Repair Act of 2022 impacts individuals and businesses involved in the repair of digital electronic equipment.
- Individuals who own digital devices will potentially benefit from the increased ability to repair their own devices without violating copyright laws.
- Small repair businesses that specialize in fixing electronics might see a positive impact due to fewer legal restrictions on repair activities.
- Manufacturers of digital products could be indirectly affected as it changes the legal landscape around how their products are serviced.
- Consumers might benefit from likely cost reductions and longer device lifespans due to the increased availability of repair services.
Reasoning
- This interview set includes a variety of individuals who represent different segments of the population impacted by the Freedom to Repair Act of 2022.
- The simulated individuals include everyday consumers of digital electronics, small business owners in the repair industry, and workers in related technology fields.
- Given the budget constraints, this simulation focuses more on the smaller businesses and consumer perspectives, as they are most directly affected.
- The policy is not expected to immediately impact large manufacturers of digital products, but might influence consumer behavior and demand over time, hence their limited focus in interviews.
- The interview set accounts for individuals unaffected by the policy to understand the distribution of impact.
Simulated Interviews
Independent Smartphone Repair Technician (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the policy, I can finally repair more phone brands without worrying about copyright issues.
- I think it will boost my business as more people might choose repair over replacement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is great, as it could lead to longer lifespans for my devices without compromising on privacy.
- I don't repair my own devices, but it's nice knowing I have the option or can easily find someone who can.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Commercial Electronics Repair) (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could save my business. The policy allows us to repair devices that were previously locked down due to legal issues.
- I am hopeful for reduced parts prices and increased business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
IT Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While this policy might not impact my job directly, it offers peace of mind knowing our gadgets are more serviceable.
- I believe servicability will lead to more efficient and eco-friendly device management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Now I can fix my laptop and phone myself when small issues arise, which is good for my tight budget.
- The policy promotes a learning opportunity for me as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like the idea of more affordable repair options if my devices break.
- However, I don't expect to personally handle repairs myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Digital Product Designer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might help reduce electronic waste, which is something I care about.
- It could influence how products are designed in the future, beyond the immediate repair benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Electronics Repair Instructor (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A step in the right direction for those learning and battling built-in obsolescence in design.
- My students will benefit hugely from this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Digital Marketing Manager (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't impact my work directly but knowing I can have a device repaired more easily is beneficial.
- May not affect my work life immediately but offers indirect savings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy might make it easier and cheaper to maintain essential digital tools used on the farm.
- I'm a bit skeptical though about how much it will change here in rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- The real economic impact depends on how effectively the legislation stimulates the local repair industry and affects consumers’ repair decisions.
- Long-term impacts on manufacturer servicing revenue have not been deeply assessed but could lead to lobbying for tighter future copyright adjustments.
- Technology advancements or strategic shifts by manufacturers can dynamically influence the act’s impact and success.