R
Ragnusen Ultred
Guest
FTC Warns Companies ĄĽWarranty Void if RemovedĄŚ Stickers Are Flatly Illegal
https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/267288-ftc-warns-companies-warranty-void-if-removed-stickers-are-flatly-illegal
--- begin verbatim quote ---
The 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act made it illegal for companies to force
users to only repair hardware using specific components or via "authorized"
resellers. While companies are not required to offer warranties, if they do
offer a warranty, they aren't allowed to void it simply because the
customer has the device repaired elsewhere. Companies are allowed to
require you to ship the device to them for warranty service or to return it
to the store you purchased it from, but they can't void your warranty just
because you repaired an unrelated problem yourself.
The FTC didn't name which companies it contacted, but notes that the firms
in question sell "automobiles, cellular devices, and video gaming systems
in the United States." The FTC does give three examples of offending
warranty language, however, which let us hone in on some of the targets by
searching for the text strings directly:
"The use of [company name] parts is required to keep yourĄK manufacturer's
warranties and any extended warranties intact." = Hyundai.
"This warranty shall not apply if this productĄK is used with products not
sold or licensed by" = Nintendo.
"This warranty does not apply if this productĄK has had the warranty seal on
the [product] altered, defaced, or removed" = Sony.
DonĄŚt put up with any BS from Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft (Microsoft has
used the same types of warnings on the Xbox One). Your warranty is not void
simply because you opened a box. TheyĄŚre not allowed to tell you
differently, and neither are firms like Apple (another likely recipient of
one of these letters).
--- end verbatim quote ---
https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/267288-ftc-warns-companies-warranty-void-if-removed-stickers-are-flatly-illegal
--- begin verbatim quote ---
The 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act made it illegal for companies to force
users to only repair hardware using specific components or via "authorized"
resellers. While companies are not required to offer warranties, if they do
offer a warranty, they aren't allowed to void it simply because the
customer has the device repaired elsewhere. Companies are allowed to
require you to ship the device to them for warranty service or to return it
to the store you purchased it from, but they can't void your warranty just
because you repaired an unrelated problem yourself.
The FTC didn't name which companies it contacted, but notes that the firms
in question sell "automobiles, cellular devices, and video gaming systems
in the United States." The FTC does give three examples of offending
warranty language, however, which let us hone in on some of the targets by
searching for the text strings directly:
"The use of [company name] parts is required to keep yourĄK manufacturer's
warranties and any extended warranties intact." = Hyundai.
"This warranty shall not apply if this productĄK is used with products not
sold or licensed by" = Nintendo.
"This warranty does not apply if this productĄK has had the warranty seal on
the [product] altered, defaced, or removed" = Sony.
DonĄŚt put up with any BS from Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft (Microsoft has
used the same types of warnings on the Xbox One). Your warranty is not void
simply because you opened a box. TheyĄŚre not allowed to tell you
differently, and neither are firms like Apple (another likely recipient of
one of these letters).
--- end verbatim quote ---