The federal government has launched a consultation on changes to the Copyright Act to enshrine the consumer's right to repair electronic devices, home appliances and machinery, and it intends to include agricultural equipment among them. The current Copyright Act legislation forces consumers to have repairs done exclusively by OEMs or original manufacturers. According to some congressmen, this situation is legal but outdated given technological advances such as the Internet of Things.
The proposed changes aim to bring copyright law in line with contemporary expectations and the future landscape. Technological protection measures (TPMs) to safeguard intellectual property would continue to be maintained but would be mitigated by the needs of consumers-users to independently and autonomously provide for the maintenance and repair of their devices by OEMs.
Farmers, in particular, will benefit from this right to repair. Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), notes that farmers sometimes need to make simple repairs to machinery to continue crucial operations during harvest periods. Digital technology is prevalent in farm equipment, and the ability to address minor electronic problems without waiting for manufacturer assistance is vital.
Maintenance and safety of farm machinery are top priorities for farmers. CFA will participate in summer government consultations and aims to establish an agreement similar to that in the United States, where the American Farm Bureau has successfully advocated right-to-repair policies. The new regulations, if approved, will impact local and international farm equipment manufacturers and dealers.
Source: CBC
