The Right to Repair: Reclaiming the Things We Own

The Right to Repair examines the history of repair and the legal landscape surrounding it, showing how companies have used tools to prevent consumers from fixing things, taking billions of dollars out of their pockets and imposing environmental costs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 364 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In recent decades, companies worldwide have employed a diverse range of tools, including intellectual property law, hardware design, software restrictions, pricing strategies, and marketing messages, to hinder consumers from repairing the products they own. While this strategy has undeniably brought substantial benefits to these companies, it has also resulted in significant financial losses for consumers and substantial environmental harm.

In his book, "The Right to Repair," Aaron Perzanowski delves into the history of repair to explore how we have reached this pivotal point, where a silent battle over repair is unfolding in courtrooms, legislatures, and administrative agencies. Through his clear and concise prose, Perzanowski elucidates the intricate legal landscape surrounding the right to repair, providing readers with valuable insights on how to advocate for this essential right.

One of the key challenges highlighted in the book is the lack of transparency and accessibility in the repair industry. Manufacturers often shroud repair information in secrecy, making it difficult for consumers to repair their own products or find reliable third-party repair services. This not only hinders consumer empowerment but also contributes to waste and environmental degradation.

Perzanowski argues that the right to repair is not only a consumer issue but also a societal one. By empowering consumers to repair their products, we can reduce e-waste, extend the lifespan of devices, and promote sustainable consumption. Moreover, repairing products can create job opportunities in the repair industry, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The book also provides readers with practical strategies for advocating for the right to repair. It outlines the legal frameworks and policies that support the right to repair, as well as the actions consumers can take to raise awareness and pressure legislators and manufacturers. Perzanowski encourages readers to join grassroots organizations, participate in public consultations, and support legislative initiatives that promote repairability.

In conclusion, "The Right to Repair" is a crucial book that sheds light on the ongoing battle over repair and provides readers with the tools and knowledge they need to advocate for this essential right. By empowering consumers to repair their products, we can promote sustainable consumption, reduce e-waste, and create job opportunities in the repair industry. It is a call to action that we cannot afford to ignore.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 144 x 310 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108837651
Edition number: New ed