If It Ain’t Working, Fix It — With Competition, Not Monopoly

The ability of individuals to repair, maintain, or modify things they own is often referred to as the “right to repair.” In recent years, manufacturers have erected barriers, “repair monopolies” that require customers to have items repaired exclusively by the manufacturer or its authorized agent. These repair monopolies dilute customer ownership. Manufacturers assert that items customers believe they have purchased were “licensed.” Insofar as the “license” view prevails, “owner