FTC sends 30-day warnings to protect your right to repair and these 3 major PC makers must respond
It’s not new news that those pesky “warranty void if removed” stickers you sometimes spot over screw holes on your laptop are illegal, as they violate your right to repair. And yet, some companies insist on continuing to threaten voided warranty coverage if you dare decide to open your laptop’s outer case.Three major manufacturers of gaming PCs, GPUs, motherboards, and other PC accessories that use these stickers and have ominous language in their official warranties — ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte — just received letters from the FTC that basically say, “Stop it.”In the FTC’s words, each company is “urged…to review its promotional and warranty materials to ensure that such materials do not state or imply that warranty coverage is conditioned on the use of specific parts or services.”In ASRock’s current warranty, the first line reads “Manufacturer’s warranty will be null and void if products are modified, damaged or otherwise tampered with, for example, the outer case is opened or additional optional parts/components are installed/removed.” As of today, all three companies called out have a similarly worded threat in the warranty’s fine print.In letters to ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte, the FTC says it has “copied and preserved the online pages in question, and plans “to review your company’s written warranty and promotional materials after 30 days.” If any company fails to right any questionable warranty practices or threatening language, it “may result in law enforcement action.”Within 30 days, hopefully we’ll see ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte update warranty policies and start removing those illegal stickers.Why is your right to repair important?This isn’t the first time the FTC has sent letters out to remind companies that “warranty void if removed” stickers are illegal. In 2018, the FTC sent letters to Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Asus, HTC, and Hyundai. And if companies today are still trying to challenge illegal warranty practices, this probably won’t be the last time the FTC has to send out letters.Get our in-depth reviews, helpful tips, great deals, and the biggest news stories delivered to your inbox.But why does it matter? Why is your right to repair worth diligently protecting by the FTC?(Image credit: Future)The biggest incentive for most people is financial in nature. Electronics are expensive today, whether you’re talking about laptops, smartphones, or other devices. And often, you could extend the life of these expensive devices if you could simply take it to someone to repair or repair it yourself. Unfortunately, many pieces are glued in or you’ll see scary “warranty void if removed” stickers that prevent you or someone else from repairing it, and you might end up buying an entirely new device as a result.The “right to repair” movement is working to not only protect your right to unscrew your laptop cover and dust it out or replace a failing component, but also to make it easier and more accessible to repair your own devices or take it to a third-party repair technician.And essentially, keeping your current devices for longer is better for your wallet and the environment.Back to Apple MacBook ProSORT BYPrice (low to high)Price (high to low)Product Name (A to Z)Product Name (Z to A)Retailer name (A to Z)Retailer name (Z to A)Load more deals
