“Right to Repair” Policies in the United States

—History and Current Status—

Abstract

Discussion on the “Right to Repair” have seen a substantive rise in this century on the federal and state levels in the United States. This concept purports to provide the legal right for the buyer (owners) and independent repair providers to access the information, tools, and parts necessary for repair and maintenance of products regarding which the buyer/owner has the legal claim of possession or use. This article summarizes the historical context and the legal foundations (e. g., antitrust, consumer protection, and IP laws) supporting the resurgence of the Right to Repair movement in the current age of digitization, and illustrates how various stakeholders, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, as well as the private sector such as consumers and repair providers, have contributed to this renewed movement.