Canada okays bypassing software locks for repairs • The Register

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <title>Canada okays bypassing software locks for repairs • The Register</title> <meta name="robots" content="max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:standard, max-video-preview:0"> <meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1.0, width=device-width"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://regmedia.co.uk/2022/03/09/canada_shutterstock1.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Canada okays bypassing software locks for repairs" /> <meta property="og:description" content="No mention of how to get the tools to bypass software locks means owner still legally beholden to OEMs" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@TheRegister"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context":"http://schema.org", "@type":"NewsArticle", "mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/"}, "headline":"Canada passes new right to repair rules with the same old problem", "datePublished":"2024-11-12T20:30:11Z", "dateModified":"2024-11-12T16:52:51Z", "image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://regmedia.co.uk/2022/03/09/canada_shutterstock1.jpg","width":"1000","height":"569"}, "author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Brandon Vigliarolo"}, "publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Register","url":"https://www.theregister.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.theregister.com/design_picker/1fea2ae01c5036112a295123c3cc9c56eb28836a/graphics/std/red_logo_sans_strapline.png","width":330,"height":55}} } </script> <script> var RegZoot = { }; var RegCC = [ ]; var RegPageType = 'Story'; var RegTruePageType = 'www story'; </script> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/"> <link rel="amphtml" href="https://www.theregister.com/AMP/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/"> <script src="/Design/javascript/html5shiv.min.js"></script> <script> // IE8 only polyfilly for eventListener // source: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/EventTarget/addEventListener#Compatibility !function(){if(Event.prototype.preventDefault||(Event.prototype.preventDefault=function(){this.returnValue=!1}),Event.prototype.stopPropagation||(Event.prototype.stopPropagation=function(){this.cancelBubble=!0}),!Element.prototype.addEventListener){var e=[],t=function(t,n){var o=this,r=function(e){e.target=e.srcElement,e.currentTarget=o,void 0!==n.handleEvent?n.handleEvent(e):n.call(o,e)};if("DOMContentLoaded"==t){var a=function(e){"complete"==document.readyState&&r(e)};if(document.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",a),e.push({object:this,type:t,listener:n,wrapper:a}),"complete"==document.readyState){var p=new Event;p.srcElement=window,a(p)}}else this.attachEvent("on"+t,r),e.push({object:this,type:t,listener:n,wrapper:r})},n=function(t,n){for(var o=0;o<e.length;){var r=e[o];if(r.object==this&&r.type==t&&r.listener==n){"DOMContentLoaded"==t?this.detachEvent("onreadystatechange",r.wrapper):this.detachEvent("on"+t,r.wrapper),e.splice(o,1);break}++o}};Element.prototype.addEventListener=t,Element.prototype.removeEventListener=n,HTMLDocument&&(HTMLDocument.prototype.addEventListener=t,HTMLDocument.prototype.removeEventListener=n),Window&&(Window.prototype.addEventListener=t,Window.prototype.removeEventListener=n)}}(); document.attachEvent("onreadystatechange", function() { if (document.readyState === "complete") { // list of icons we want <= IE8 to replace with their png equivalents var svg_icons_png_equiv = [ // masthead icons (twitter + facebook are also shared for footer): 'reg_logo.svg', 'twitter.svg', 'facebook.svg', 'linkedin.svg', // navigation bar icons: 'vulture.svg', 'vulture_white.svg', 'search.svg', 'search_white.svg', // footer icons: 'sitpub_footer.svg', 'linkedin_white.svg', 'rss.svg', // lectures section icons: 'reglecture_logo.svg', // story template icons: 'reddit.svg', 'linkedin_alt.svg', 'linkedin.svg', 'calendar.svg', 'location.svg', 'rect_comment_bubble_white.svg', 'rect_comment_bubble_black.svg', 'envelope.svg', 'polls_unit_arrow.svg' ]; for (i = 0; i <= svg_icons_png_equiv.length - 1; i++) { var svg_icon = svg_icons_png_equiv[i]; var img_svg_icons = $('img[src$="' + svg_icon + '"]'); img_svg_icons.each(function() { $(this).attr('src', $(this).attr('src').replace('.svg','.png')); }); } var ad_params = { src: 'https://regmedia.co.uk/2018/06/15/gg2b_book.png', href: 'https://forms.theregister.com/gg2b/?td=iaomwtkie78' }; bird_alternative('ad_wp_top', ad_params); } }); </script> <script> var RegArticle={id:237207,pf:0,af:0,bms:0,sec:'on_prem/personal_tech',cat:'update_me',ec:[],kw:[["canada",'Canada'],["copyright",'Copyright'],["right to repair",'Right to Repair'],["software",'Software']],kwp:[],short_url:'https://reg.cx/4f19',cp:0,noads:[],author:'Brandon Vigliarolo'} </script> <link rel=stylesheet type="text/css" href="/css/e5c206ed408f082870465a2c478e657ff0db3937/scaffolding.css"> <link rel=stylesheet type="text/css" href="/css/e5c206ed408f082870465a2c478e657ff0db3937/design.css"> <style> #nav-on_prem, #nav-on_prem-personal_tech { text-decoration: underline !important; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' href='/css/e5c206ed408f082870465a2c478e657ff0db3937/story_only.css'> <link rel=stylesheet type="text/css" href="/css/e5c206ed408f082870465a2c478e657ff0db3937/rows_basic.css"> <link rel=alternate type="application/atom+xml" href="/headlines.atom" title="The Register: whole site"> <link rel=alternate type="application/atom+xml" href="/on_prem/personal_tech/headlines.atom" title="The Register: Personal Tech section"> <script> var RegCR = false; </script> <script src="/design_picker/14513432720673f1c1ee02761ba265b674b7bee1/javascript/_.js"></script> <script> RegGPT('reg_onprem/personaltech','0df13fad2ea597c71ae99fa84c3f976d','0df13fad2ea597c71ae99fa84c3f976d'); </script> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js"></script> <link rel=search href="https://search.theregister.com/"> <link rel=search type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" title="El Reg Search" href="/Design/page/search.osd"> <link rel="icon" href="/design_picker/13249a2e80709c7ff2e57dd3d49801cd534f2094/graphics/favicons/favicon.ico" sizes="any"> <link rel="icon" href="/design_picker/13249a2e80709c7ff2e57dd3d49801cd534f2094/graphics/favicons/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/design_picker/13249a2e80709c7ff2e57dd3d49801cd534f2094/graphics/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/design_picker/13249a2e80709c7ff2e57dd3d49801cd534f2094/graphics/favicons/site.webmanifest"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#ff0000"> <meta name="msapplication-config" content="/design_picker/13249a2e80709c7ff2e57dd3d49801cd534f2094/graphics/favicons/browserconfig.xml"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ff0000"> <script src="/Design/javascript/respond.min.js"></script> </head> <body class="fullwidth" data-pagetype='Story' data-iebrowser='7' data-pagenum="0"> <div id="page"> <div data-oop="1" data-pos="top" data-raptor="kite" aria-hidden="true" class="adun"></div> <div id="masthead"> <div class="los_amigos"> <div class="left_nav"> <a id="mob_user_link" href="https://account.theregister.com/register/" aria-label="Your Account"> <img class="account_icon" width="16" height="16" src="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/std/user_icon_white_extents_16x16.png" srcset="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/std/user_icon_white_extents.svg" alt=""> <img class="filled_icon" width="16" height="16" src="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/std/user_icon_white_filled_extents_16x16.png" srcset="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/std/user_icon_filled_white_extents.svg" alt=""> <span id="mob_user_text"><span>Sign in / up</span></span> </a> </div> <div class="center_nav"> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/" id="logo"> <img src="/design_picker/fa16d26efb42e6ba1052f1d387470f643c5aa18d/graphics/std/reg_logo_no_strapline.png" srcset="/design_picker/fa16d26efb42e6ba1052f1d387470f643c5aa18d/graphics/std/reg_logo_no_strapline.svg" width="190" height="35" alt="The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT"> </a> </div> <div class="right_nav"> <a href="https://search.theregister.com/" class="nav_search topnav_elem" data-name="Search" aria-label="Search"> <img width="16" height="16" src="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/std/magnifying_glass_white_extents_16x16.png" srcset="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/std/magnifying_glass_white_extents.svg" alt=""> </a> <div id="site_nav_mobile"> <noscript><div id="site_nav_mobile_hiding_stamp"></div></noscript> <button id="mobile_menu_toggle" aria-label="Open menu" type="button"> <img width="16" height="16" src="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/icon/burger_menu_white_16x16.png" srcset="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/icon/burger_menu_white_extents.svg" alt=""> <img width="16" height="16" src="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/icon/burger_menu_white_close_16x16.png" srcset="/design_picker/ae01b183a707a7db8cd5f2c947715ed56d335138/graphics/icon/burger_menu_white_close_extents.svg" alt=""> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div id="top_panel_wrapper"> <div id="top_panel"> <div class="block_section nav"> <div class="nav_col first_col"> <div class="nav_top_group"> <div class="nav_topics"> <div class="nav_head_bk"> <h2 class="main_head">Topics</h2> </div> <div> <nav> <div class="nav_elem"> <div class="cat_header"> <div id="nav-security"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-security" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-security" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Security</a> <h2 class="desk_only section_nav-security"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-security" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-security" class="topnav_elem desk_only">Security</a> </h2> </div> </div><div id="subnav-box-nav-security" class="subnav_box"><a href="https://www.theregister.com/security/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-security-all"><span class="prefix_all">All </span>Security</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/security/cyber_crime/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-security-cyber_crime">Cyber-crime</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/security/patches/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-security-patches">Patches</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/security/research/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-security-research">Research</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/security/cso/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-security-cso">CSO</a> <noscript><a href="#masthead" class="subnav_elem close_box" aria-label="Top navigation">(X)</a></noscript> </div> </div><div class="nav_elem"> <div class="cat_header"> <div id="nav-off_prem"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-off_prem" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-off_prem" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Off-Prem</a> <h2 class="desk_only section_nav-off_prem"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-off_prem" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-off_prem" class="topnav_elem desk_only">Off-Prem</a> </h2> </div> </div><div id="subnav-box-nav-off_prem" class="subnav_box"><a href="https://www.theregister.com/off_prem/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-off_prem-all"><span class="prefix_all">All </span>Off-Prem</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/off_prem/edge_iot/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-off_prem-edge_iot">Edge + IoT</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/off_prem/channel/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-off_prem-channel">Channel</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/off_prem/paas_iaas/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-off_prem-paas_iaas">PaaS + IaaS</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/off_prem/saas/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-off_prem-saas">SaaS</a> <noscript><a href="#masthead" class="subnav_elem close_box" aria-label="Top navigation">(X)</a></noscript> </div> </div><div class="nav_elem"> <div class="cat_header"> <div id="nav-on_prem"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-on_prem" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-on_prem" class="topnav_elem mob_only">On-Prem</a> <h2 class="desk_only section_nav-on_prem"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-on_prem" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-on_prem" class="topnav_elem desk_only">On-Prem</a> </h2> </div> </div><div id="subnav-box-nav-on_prem" class="subnav_box"><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-all"><span class="prefix_all">All </span>On-Prem</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/systems/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-systems">Systems</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/storage/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-storage">Storage</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/networks/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-networks">Networks</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/hpc/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-hpc">HPC</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/personal_tech/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-personal_tech">Personal Tech</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/cxo/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-cxo">CxO</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/on_prem/public_sector/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-on_prem-public_sector">Public Sector</a> <noscript><a href="#masthead" class="subnav_elem close_box" aria-label="Top navigation">(X)</a></noscript> </div> </div><div class="nav_elem"> <div class="cat_header"> <div id="nav-software"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-software" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-software" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Software</a> <h2 class="desk_only section_nav-software"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-software" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-software" class="topnav_elem desk_only">Software</a> </h2> </div> </div><div id="subnav-box-nav-software" class="subnav_box"><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-all"><span class="prefix_all">All </span>Software</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/ai_ml/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-ai_ml">AI + ML</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/applications/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-applications">Applications</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/databases/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-databases">Databases</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/devops/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-devops">DevOps</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/oses/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-oses">OSes</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/software/virtualization/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-software-virtualization">Virtualization</a> <noscript><a href="#masthead" class="subnav_elem close_box" aria-label="Top navigation">(X)</a></noscript> </div> </div><div class="nav_elem"> <div class="cat_header"> <div id="nav-offbeat"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-offbeat" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-offbeat" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Offbeat</a> <h2 class="desk_only section_nav-offbeat"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-offbeat" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-offbeat" class="topnav_elem desk_only">Offbeat</a> </h2> </div> </div><div id="subnav-box-nav-offbeat" class="subnav_box"><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-all"><span class="prefix_all">All </span>Offbeat</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Debates/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-debates">Debates</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/columnists/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-columnists">Columnists</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/science/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-science">Science</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/geeks_guide/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-geeks_guide">Geek's Guide</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/bofh/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-bofh">BOFH</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/legal/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-legal">Legal</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/bootnotes/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-bootnotes">Bootnotes</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/site_news/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-site_news">Site News</a><a href="https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/about_us/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-offbeat-about_us">About Us</a> <noscript><a href="#masthead" class="subnav_elem close_box" aria-label="Top navigation">(X)</a></noscript> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nav_bottom_group"> <div class="nav_bottom_section nav_special_features"> <div class="nav_head_bk"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-special_features" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-special_features" id="nav-special_features" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Special Features</a> <h2 class="main_head"> <span class="topnav_elem desk_only">Special Features</span> </h2> </div> <nav> <div class="nav_elem"> <div id="subnav-box-nav-special_features" class="subnav_box"> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features">All Special Features</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/cybersecurity_month">Cybersecurity Month</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/vmware_explore">VMware Explore</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/blackhat_and_defcon">Blackhat and DEF CON</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/cloud_infrastructure_month">Cloud Infrastructure Month</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/malware_month">Malware Month</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/the_reg_in_space">The Reg in Space</a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/special_features/spotlight_on_rsa">Spotlight on RSA</a> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="nav_bottom_section nav_elem nav_vendor_voice"> <div class="nav_head_bk"> <h2 class="main_head"> <span class="topnav_elem desk_only">Vendor Voice</span> </h2> </div> <nav> <div class="nav_elem"> <div class="cat_header"> <div id="nav-tag-vendor-voice"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-tag-vendor-voice" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-tag-vendor-voice" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Vendor Voice</a> <h2 class="desk_only section_nav-tag-vendor-voice"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-tag-vendor-voice" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-tag-vendor-voice" class="topnav_elem desk_only">Vendor Voice</a> </h2> </div> </div> <div id="subnav-box-nav-tag-vendor-voice" class="subnav_box"> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-all"> <span class="prefix_all">All </span>Vendor Voice </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/aws_here/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_aws_here"> HERE and AWS </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/aws_vonage/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_aws_vonage"> Vonage </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/aws_amdocs/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_aws_amdocs"> Amdocs </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/aws_ge_vernova_manufacturing/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_aws_ge_vernova_manufacturing"> GE Vernova with AWS </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/aws_ge_vernova/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_aws_ge_vernova"> GE Vernova with AWS </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/siemens_aws/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_siemens_aws"> Siemens and AWS Gen AI </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/siemens_aws_itot/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_siemens_aws_itot"> Siemens and AWS IT/OT </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/aws_new_horizon_solutions/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_aws_new_horizon_solutions"> Amazon Web Services (AWS) New Horizon in Cloud Computing </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/ddn/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_ddn"> DDN </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/google_cloud_data_transformation/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_google_cloud_data_transformation"> Google Cloud Data Transformation </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/google_gemini/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_google_gemini"> Google Gemini </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/hpe_greenlake/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_hpe_greenlake"> Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Edge-to-Cloud Platform </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/intelvpro/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_intelvpro"> Intel vPro </a> <a href="https://www.theregister.com/VendorVoice/vmware/" class="subnav_elem" id="nav-tag-vendor-voice-vv_vmware"> VMware </a> <noscript> <a href="#masthead" class="subnav_elem close_box" aria-label="Top navigation">(X)</a> </noscript> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="nav_bottom_section nav_resources"> <div class="nav_head_bk"> <a href="#subnav-box-nav-resources" data-toggle-for="subnav-box-nav-resources" id="nav-resources" class="topnav_elem mob_only">Resources</a> <h2 class="main_head"> <span class="topnav_elem desk_only">Resources</span> </h2> </div> <nav id="top_nav"> <div class="nav_elem"> <div id="subnav-box-nav-resources" class="subnav_box"> <a href="https://whitepapers.theregister.com/">Whitepapers</a> <a href="https://whitepapers.theregister.com/events/list/">Webinars & Events</a> <a href="https://account.theregister.com/edit/newsletter/">Newsletters</a> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="top" data-raptor="condor" data-xmd=",fluid,leaderboard," data-lg=",fluid,leaderboard," data-xlg=",fluid,superleaderboard,billboard,leaderboard," data-xxlg=",fluid,superleaderboard,billboard,brandwidth,leaderboard,"> <noscript> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> </noscript> </div> <article> <div id=top-col-story> <div class="header_left"> <div class="cat_header"> <h4 class="dcl"> <a href="/on_prem/personal_tech/" aria-label="Personal Tech">Personal Tech</a> </h4> </div> <div class="comments_wrap mobile_only"> <a class="comment_count" aria-label="Read comments on this article, currently there are 9 comments" title="View comments on this article" href="https://forums.theregister.com/forum/all/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/"> <strong aria-hidden="true">9</strong> <img aria-hidden="true" width="18" height="16" alt="comment bubble on white" src="/design_picker/f5daacc84b9722c1e31ba85f836c37e4ad993fc4/graphics/icons/bubble_comment_white.png" srcset="/design_picker/f5daacc84b9722c1e31ba85f836c37e4ad993fc4/graphics/icons/bubble_comment_white.svg"> </a> </div> </div> <div class="header_right"> <h1>Canada passes new right to repair rules with the same old problem</h1> </div> <div class="header_left"> <div class="comments_wrap desktop_only"> <a class="comment_count" aria-label="Read comments on this article, currently there are 9 comments" title="View comments on this article" href="https://forums.theregister.com/forum/all/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/"> <strong aria-hidden="true">9</strong> <img aria-hidden="true" width="18" height="16" alt="comment bubble on white" src="/design_picker/f5daacc84b9722c1e31ba85f836c37e4ad993fc4/graphics/icons/bubble_comment_white.png" srcset="/design_picker/f5daacc84b9722c1e31ba85f836c37e4ad993fc4/graphics/icons/bubble_comment_white.svg"> </a> </div> </div> <div class="header_right"> <h2>No mention of how to get the tools to bypass software locks means owner still legally beholden to OEMs</h2> <div class="byline_and_dateline_and_share_and_comments"> <div class="byline_wrap"> <img class="vulture_icon" src="/design_picker/d518b499f8a6e2c65d4d8c49aca8299d54b03012/graphics/icon/vulture_red.svg" alt="icon"> <a class="byline" href="/Author/Brandon-Vigliarolo" title="Read more by this author"> Brandon Vigliarolo </a> </div> <div class="dateline_wrap"> <span class="dateline"> Tue 12 Nov 2024 <span class="slashes"> // </span> 20:30 UTC </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id=main-col> <div id="article-wrapper" class="article_wrap"> <div class="left_col"> <div class="floating_bar"> <div class="sharing_widget_story_desktop uses_overlay"> <button class="top_blob" aria-label="Share this story" title="Share this story"> <img width="25" height="25" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/icons/social_share_icon.svg" alt=""> </button> <div class="sharing_widget_overlay" id="sharing_widget_overlay_2"> <div class="sharing_box"> <a data-social="reddit" href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dreddit&title=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="twitter" class="twit" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem&url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dtwitter&via=theregister" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="facebook" class="faceb_dialog" href="https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=1404095453459035&display=popup&link=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dfacebook" target="_blank"> </a> <br class="hide_after_sm"> <a data-social="linkedin" class="linkedin_social" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dlinkedin&title=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem&summary=No%20mention%20of%20how%20to%20get%20the%20tools%20to%20bypass%20software%20locks%20means%20owner%20still%20legally%20beholden%20to%20OEMs" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="whatsapp" href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dwhatsapp" target="_blank"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="promo_advert"> </div> </div> <div class="centre_col"> <div id="article"> <div id="body"> <p>Digital software locks have just become flimsier in Canada with the passage of a pair of laws allowing for their bypass for repair and interoperability purposes.</p> <p>Royal assent was granted to two right to repair bills last week that amend Canada's Copyright Act to allow the circumvention of technological protection measures (TPMs) if this is done for the purposes of "maintaining or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-244/royal-assent" rel="nofollow">repairing</a> a product, including any related diagnosing," and "to make the program or a device in which it is embedded <a target="_blank" href="https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-294/royal-assent" rel="nofollow">interoperable</a> with any other computer program, device or component."</p> <p>The pair of bills allow device owners to not only repair their own stuff regardless of how a program is written to prevent such non-OEM measures, but said owners can also make their devices work with third-party components without needing to go through the manufacturer to do so. </p> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="top" data-raptor="condor" data-xsm=",fluid,mpu," data-sm=",fluid,mpu," data-md=",fluid,mpu,"> <noscript> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> </noscript> </div> <p>Bills <a target="_blank" href="https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-244" rel="nofollow">C-244</a> (repairability) and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-294?view=details" rel="nofollow">C-294</a> (interoperability) go a long way toward advancing the right to repair in Canada and, as iFixit pointed out, are the first federal laws anywhere that address how TPMs restrict the right to repair – but they're hardly final.</p> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="top" data-raptor="falcon" data-xmd=",fluid,mpu,leaderboard," data-lg=",fluid,mpu,leaderboard," data-xlg=",fluid,billboard,superleaderboard,mpu,leaderboard," data-xxlg=",fluid,billboard,superleaderboard,brandwidth,brandimpact,leaderboard,mpu,"> <noscript> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D426raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> </noscript> </div> <div class="adun_eagle_desktop_story_wrapper"> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="mid" data-raptor="eagle" data-xxlg=",mpu,dmpu,"> <noscript> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> </noscript> </div> </div> <p>TPMs can take a number of forms, from simple administrative passwords to encryption, registration keys, or even the need for a physical object like a USB dongle to unlock access to copyrighted components of a device's software. Most commercially manufactured devices with proprietary embedded software include some form of TPM, and neither C-244 nor C-294 place any restrictions on the use of such measures by manufacturers.</p> <p>As iFixit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ifixit.com/News/104248/canada-just-fixed-copyright-law-for-repair" rel="nofollow">points</a> out, neither Copyright Act amendments do anything to expand access to the tools needed to circumvent TPMs. That puts Canadians in a similar position to US repair advocates, who in 2021 saw the US Copyright Office loosen DMCA restrictions to allow limited repairs of some devices despite TPMs, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/29/2021_dcma_rules/">without allowing access to the tools</a> needed to do so.</p> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="top" data-raptor="falcon" data-xsm=",fluid,mpu," data-sm=",fluid,mpu," data-md=",fluid,mpu,"> <noscript> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D426raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> </noscript> </div> <p>Such repairability conflicts can be seen in legal policies as recent as late last month when the US Copyright Office made another round of DMCA allowances that included letting fast food chain McDonald's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/29/copyright_office_mcdonalds/">repair its own ice cream machines</a>, which are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/31/ifixit_ice_cream_machine/">famously always broken</a>. </p> <ul class="listinks"> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/24/europe_repair_rights_directive/">European Parliament votes to screw repair rights in consumer toolkits</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/17/clear_vat_electronics_repairs/">UK electronics firms want government to stop taxing trash and let them fix it instead</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/03/john_deere_repair_restrictions_warren/">John Deere accused of being full of manure with its right-to-repair promises</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/27/state_repair_rules/">State-by-state is the best approach for right to repair, says advocacy leader</a></li> </ul> <p>"While it's now legal to circumvent the digital locks on these machines, the ruling does not allow us to share or distribute the tools necessary to do so," iFixit director of sustainability Elizabeth Chamberlain said last month. "The ruling doesn't change the underlying statute making it illegal to share or sell tools that bypass software locks. This leaves most of the repair work inaccessible to the average person, since the technical barriers remain high."</p> <p>Canadian Repair Coalition co-founder Anthony Rosborough said last week that the new repairability and interoperability rules represent considerable progress, but like similar changes in the US, don't actually amount to much without the right to distribute tools. </p> <p>"New regulations are needed that require manufacturers and vendors to ensure that products and devices are designed with accessibility of repairs in mind," Rosborough <a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/updates-to-canadas-copyright-act-bring-consumers-closer-to-the-right-to-repair-your-devices-241535" rel="nofollow">wrote</a> in an op-ed last week. "Businesses need to be able to carry out their work without the fear of infringing various intellectual property rights." ®</p> <div class="wptl btm"> <noscript><strong>Get our</strong> <a href="https://whitepapers.theregister.com/" style="text-transform:uppercase">Tech Resources</a></noscript> </div> </div> <div class="article_body_btm mobile_only"> <div class="sharing_widget_story_desktop uses_overlay"> <button class="top_blob" aria-label="Share this story" title="Share this story"> <img width="25" height="25" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/icons/social_share_icon.svg" alt=""> <span>Share</span> </button> <div class="sharing_widget_overlay" id="sharing_widget_overlay_3"> <div class="sharing_box"> <a data-social="reddit" href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dreddit&title=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="twitter" class="twit" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem&url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dtwitter&via=theregister" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="facebook" class="faceb_dialog" href="https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=1404095453459035&display=popup&link=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dfacebook" target="_blank"> </a> <br class="hide_after_sm"> <a data-social="linkedin" class="linkedin_social" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dlinkedin&title=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem&summary=No%20mention%20of%20how%20to%20get%20the%20tools%20to%20bypass%20software%20locks%20means%20owner%20still%20legally%20beholden%20to%20OEMs" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="whatsapp" href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dwhatsapp" target="_blank"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right_col desktop_only"> <div class="similar_topics"> <div class="similar_topics"> <h4>More about</h4> <ul class="keywords"> <li> <a href="/Tag/Canada/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Canada </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Copyright/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Copyright </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Right%20to%20Repair/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Right to Repair </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="keyword_wrap" style="display: none;"> <div class="keyword_trigger">More like these</div> </div> <div class="lightbox_overlay"> <div class="keyword_popup more_topics"> <div class="close">×</div> <div class="keyword_group similar_topics"> <h3>More about</h3> <ul class="keywords"> <li> <a href="/Tag/Canada/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Canada </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Copyright/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Copyright </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Right%20to%20Repair/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Right to Repair </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Software/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Software </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="keyword_group child_topics"> <h3>Narrower topics</h3> <ul class="keywords"> <li> <a href="/Tag/AdBlock%20Plus/" > <span class="keyword_name"> AdBlock Plus </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/App/" > <span class="keyword_name"> App </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Application%20Delivery%20Controller/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Application Delivery Controller </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Audacity/Audio%20Editor/" title="Disambiguation: Audio Editor" > <span class="keyword_name"> Audacity </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Confluence/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Confluence </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/CSA/" > <span class="keyword_name"> CSA </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Database/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Database </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Five%20Eyes/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Five Eyes </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/FOSDEM/" > <span class="keyword_name"> FOSDEM </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/FOSS/" > <span class="keyword_name"> FOSS </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Grab/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Grab </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Graphics%20Interchange%20Format/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Graphics Interchange Format </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/IDE/" > <span class="keyword_name"> IDE </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Jenkins/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Jenkins </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Legacy%20Technology/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Legacy Technology </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/LibreOffice/" > <span class="keyword_name"> LibreOffice </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Map/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Map </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Microsoft%20365/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Microsoft 365 </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Microsoft%20Office/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Microsoft Office </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Microsoft%20Teams/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Microsoft Teams </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Mobile%20Device%20Management/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Mobile Device Management </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/OpenOffice/" > <span class="keyword_name"> OpenOffice </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Programming%20Language/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Programming Language </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/QR%20code/" > <span class="keyword_name"> QR code </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Retro%20computing/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Retro computing </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Search%20Engine/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Search Engine </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Software%20bug/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Software bug </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Software%20License/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Software License </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Text%20Editor/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Text Editor </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/User%20interface/" > <span class="keyword_name"> User interface </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Visual%20Studio/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Visual Studio </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Visual%20Studio%20Code/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Visual Studio Code </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/WebAssembly/" > <span class="keyword_name"> WebAssembly </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Web%20Browser/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Web Browser </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/WordPress/" > <span class="keyword_name"> WordPress </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right_col mobile_only"> <div class="similar_topics"> <h4>More about</h4> </div> </div> <div class="left_col main_content"> <div class="sharing_block"> <div class=article_body_btm> <div class="sharing_widget_story_desktop uses_overlay"> <button class="top_blob" aria-label="Share this story" title="Share this story"> <img width="25" height="25" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/icons/social_share_icon.svg" alt=""> <span>Share</span> </button> <div class="sharing_widget_overlay" id="sharing_widget_overlay_4"> <div class="sharing_box"> <a data-social="reddit" href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dreddit&title=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="twitter" class="twit" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem&url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dtwitter&via=theregister" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="facebook" class="faceb_dialog" href="https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=1404095453459035&display=popup&link=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dfacebook" target="_blank"> </a> <br class="hide_after_sm"> <a data-social="linkedin" class="linkedin_social" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dlinkedin&title=Canada%20passes%20new%20right%20to%20repair%20rules%20with%20the%20same%20old%20problem&summary=No%20mention%20of%20how%20to%20get%20the%20tools%20to%20bypass%20software%20locks%20means%20owner%20still%20legally%20beholden%20to%20OEMs" target="_blank"> </a> <a data-social="whatsapp" href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/%3futm_medium%3dshare%26utm_content%3darticle%26utm_source%3dwhatsapp" target="_blank"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="centre_col main_content"> <div class="comments "> <a class="comment_count" aria-label="Read comments on this article, currently there are 9 comments" title="View comments on this article" href="https://forums.theregister.com/forum/all/2024/11/12/canada_right_to_repair/"> <strong aria-hidden="true">9</strong> <img aria-hidden="true" width="18" height="16" alt="comment bubble on white" src="/design_picker/f5daacc84b9722c1e31ba85f836c37e4ad993fc4/graphics/icons/bubble_comment_white.png" srcset="/design_picker/f5daacc84b9722c1e31ba85f836c37e4ad993fc4/graphics/icons/bubble_comment_white.svg"> COMMENTS </a> </div> </div> <div class="hidden_col mobile_only"> <div class="similar_topics"> <h4>More about</h4> <ul class="keywords"> <li> <a href="/Tag/Canada/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Canada </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Copyright/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Copyright </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Right%20to%20Repair/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Right to Repair </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="keyword_wrap" style="display: none;"> <div class="keyword_trigger">More like these</div> </div> <div class="lightbox_overlay"> <div class="keyword_popup more_topics"> <div class="close">×</div> <div class="keyword_group similar_topics"> <h3>More about</h3> <ul class="keywords"> <li> <a href="/Tag/Canada/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Canada </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Copyright/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Copyright </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Right%20to%20Repair/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Right to Repair </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Software/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Software </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="keyword_group child_topics"> <h3>Narrower topics</h3> <ul class="keywords"> <li> <a href="/Tag/AdBlock%20Plus/" > <span class="keyword_name"> AdBlock Plus </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/App/" > <span class="keyword_name"> App </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Application%20Delivery%20Controller/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Application Delivery Controller </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Audacity/Audio%20Editor/" title="Disambiguation: Audio Editor" > <span class="keyword_name"> Audacity </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Confluence/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Confluence </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/CSA/" > <span class="keyword_name"> CSA </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Database/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Database </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Five%20Eyes/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Five Eyes </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/FOSDEM/" > <span class="keyword_name"> FOSDEM </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/FOSS/" > <span class="keyword_name"> FOSS </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Grab/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Grab </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Graphics%20Interchange%20Format/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Graphics Interchange Format </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/IDE/" > <span class="keyword_name"> IDE </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Jenkins/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Jenkins </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Legacy%20Technology/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Legacy Technology </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/LibreOffice/" > <span class="keyword_name"> LibreOffice </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Map/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Map </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Microsoft%20365/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Microsoft 365 </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Microsoft%20Office/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Microsoft Office </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Microsoft%20Teams/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Microsoft Teams </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Mobile%20Device%20Management/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Mobile Device Management </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/OpenOffice/" > <span class="keyword_name"> OpenOffice </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Programming%20Language/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Programming Language </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/QR%20code/" > <span class="keyword_name"> QR code </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Retro%20computing/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Retro computing </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Search%20Engine/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Search Engine </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Software%20bug/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Software bug </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Software%20License/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Software License </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Text%20Editor/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Text Editor </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/User%20interface/" > <span class="keyword_name"> User interface </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Visual%20Studio/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Visual Studio </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Visual%20Studio%20Code/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Visual Studio Code </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/WebAssembly/" > <span class="keyword_name"> WebAssembly </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/Web%20Browser/" > <span class="keyword_name"> Web Browser </span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/Tag/WordPress/" > <span class="keyword_name"> WordPress </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right_col main_content"> <div class="tip_off_widget"> <h4>TIP US OFF</h4> <p><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Profile/contact/" target="_blank">Send us news</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <hr id=story_section_break> <div id=story-bot-col> <h3 style="position:absolute;color:transparent;z-index:-1;">Other stories you might like</h3> <div id="aua" data-unit-type="aua" class="keepreading"> <div class=headlines> <div class="img_lite_srow img_lite_rt-1b"> <article> <a href="/2024/11/14/academic_papers_retracted_software_licensing/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Academic papers yanked after authors found to have used unlicensed software</h4> <div class=standfirst> <span class="label">Updated</span> Dam, the consequences</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">Software</span><span class="time_stamp" title="14 Nov 2024 7:24" data-epoch="1731569049">14 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">80</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/15/wp_engine_antitrust_automattic_lawsuit/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>WP Engine revs Automattic lawsuit with antitrust claim</h4> <div class=standfirst>Revised sueball over WordPress brawl tries Sherman Antitrust Act on for size</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">Software</span><span class="time_stamp" title="15 Nov 2024 1:30" data-epoch="1731634214">15 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">23</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/14/five_eyes_2023_top_vulnerabilities/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Five Eyes infosec agencies list 2023's most exploited software flaws</h4> <div class=standfirst>Slack patching remains a problem – which is worrying as crooks increasingly target zero-day vulns</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">CSO</span><span class="time_stamp" title="14 Nov 2024 8:31" data-epoch="1731573066">14 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">28</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/09/05/quantum_computing_is_coming_are/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Quantum computing is coming – are you ready?</h4> <div class=standfirst>Are you prepared for the day that quantum computing breaks today’s encryption?</div> <div class=time_comments><span class="section_name">Sponsored Feature</span></div> </div> </a> </article> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="btm" data-raptor="hawk" data-xsm=",fluid,mpu," data-sm=",fluid,mpu," data-md=",fluid,mpu," data-xmd=",fluid,leaderboard,mpu," data-lg=",fluid,mpu,leaderboard," data-xlg=",fluid,billboard,superleaderboard,mpu,leaderboard," data-xxlg=",fluid,billboard,superleaderboard,brandwidth,brandimpact,mpu,leaderboard,"> <noscript> <a href="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=6&c=66Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D6%26raptor%3Dhawk%26pos%3Dbtm%26test%3D0" target="_blank"> <img src="https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ad?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=6&c=66Z0MVZYp0bT2mC0zlRIcJ4QAAAFE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D6%26raptor%3Dhawk%26pos%3Dbtm%26test%3D0" alt=""> </a> </noscript> </div> <div class="img_lite_srow img_lite_rt-1b"> <article> <a href="/2024/11/18/jetflicks_programmer_conviction/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Pirate programmer walks the plank for role in massive TV streaming operation</h4> <div class=standfirst>US considers the cases concerning Jetflicks to be the largest of their kind</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">Personal Tech</span><span class="time_stamp" title="18 Nov 2024 13:15" data-epoch="1731935707">18 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">37</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/20/google_ossfuzz/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Google's AI bug hunters sniff out two dozen-plus code gremlins that humans missed</h4> <div class=standfirst>OSS-Fuzz is making a strong argument for LLMs in security research</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">AI + ML</span><span class="time_stamp" title="20 Nov 2024 17:1" data-epoch="1732122087">20 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">9</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/19/microsoft_autonomous_copilot_ai/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Microsoft unleashes autonomous Copilot AI agents in public preview</h4> <div class=standfirst> <span class="label">Ignite</span> They can learn, adapt, and make decisions – but don't worry, they're not coming for <i>your</i> job</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">PaaS + IaaS</span><span class="time_stamp" title="19 Nov 2024 13:30" data-epoch="1732023007">19 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">9</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/12/trapc_memory_safe_fork/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>To kill memory safety bugs in C code, try the TrapC fork</h4> <div class=standfirst> <span class="label">Exclusive</span> Memory-safe variant is planned for next year</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">Software</span><span class="time_stamp" title="12 Nov 2024 14:31" data-epoch="1731421868">12 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">72</span></div> </div> </a> </article> </div> <div class="img_lite_srow img_lite_rt-1b"> <article> <a href="/2024/11/21/ai_hiring_test_bias/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>AI hiring bias? Men with Anglo-Saxon names score lower in tech interviews</h4> <div class=standfirst>Study suggests hiding every Tom, Dick, and Harry's personal info from HR bots</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">AI + ML</span><span class="time_stamp" title="21 Nov 2024 8:22" data-epoch="1732177330">21 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">124</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/08/automattic_tracking_wpengine/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>WordPress's Automattic openly tracks websites bailing from rival WP Engine</h4> <div class=standfirst> <span class="label">Updated</span> The new normal</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">Software</span><span class="time_stamp" title="8 Nov 2024 22:58" data-epoch="1731106691">8 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">28</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/08/openai_copyright_suit_dismissed/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>Judge tosses publishers' copyright suit against OpenAI</h4> <div class=standfirst>Raw Story and AltNet allowed to amend complaint</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">AI + ML</span><span class="time_stamp" title="8 Nov 2024 22:28" data-epoch="1731104892">8 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">25</span></div> </div> </a> </article> <article> <a href="/2024/11/23/ai_jesus_peterskapelle/?td=keepreading" class=story_link> <div class="article_text_elements"> <h4>AI Jesus is ready to dispense advice from a booth in historic Swiss church</h4> <div class=standfirst>Pope, Depeche Mode, silent on digital second coming</div> <div class=time_comments> <span class="section_name">Bootnotes</span><span class="time_stamp" title="23 Nov 2024 9:28" data-epoch="1732354091">23 Nov 2024</span> | <span class="comment light_bg_comments">50</span></div> </div> </a> </article> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="adun" data-pos="btm" data-raptor="owl" data-xsm=",fluid,mpu,dmpu," data-sm=",fluid,mpu,dmpu," data-md=",fluid,mpu,dmpu," data-xmd=",fluid,leaderboard,mpu," data-lg=",fluid,mpu,leaderboard," data-xlg=",fluid,billboard,superleaderboard,mpu,leaderboard," data-xxlg=",fluid,billboard,superleaderboard,brandwidth,brandimpact,mpu,leaderboard,"></div> </div> </div><div id=footer> <div class="footer_slogan"> <div class="footer_wrapper"> <p>The Register <img class="vulture_icon" src="/design_picker/d518b499f8a6e2c65d4d8c49aca8299d54b03012/graphics/icon/vulture_white.png" alt="icon"> Biting the hand that feeds IT</p> </div> </div> <div class="footer_wrapper"> <div class=foot_wrapper> <div class="left_block"> <div class="foot_list"> <h4>About Us<img loading="lazy" width="7" height="11" alt="" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/icon/footer_mob_nav_arrow_black.svg" class="expand_arrow"></h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Profile/contact/">Contact us</a></li> <li><a target=_blank rel=noopener href="https://www.theregister.com/AdvertiseWithUs/">Advertise with us</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Profile/about_the_register/">Who we are</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="foot_list more_us"> <h4>Our Websites<img loading="lazy" width="7" height="11" alt="" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/icon/footer_mob_nav_arrow_black.svg" class="expand_arrow"></h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nextplatform.com/">The Next Platform</a></li> <li><a href="https://devclass.com/">DevClass</a></li> <li><a href="https://blocksandfiles.com/">Blocks and Files</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="foot_list privacy"> <h4>Your Privacy<img loading="lazy" width="7" height="11" alt="" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/icon/footer_mob_nav_arrow_black.svg" class="expand_arrow"></h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Profile/cookies/">Cookies Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Profile/privacy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/Profile/terms_and_conditions_of_use/">Ts & Cs</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="right_block"> <div class="foot_list"> <a href="https://situationpublishing.com/" id="sitpub_logo"> <img loading="lazy" width="250" alt="Situation Publishing" src="/design_picker/d2e337b97204af4aa34dda04c4e5d56d954b216f/graphics/std/sitpublogo_2022.png"> </a> <p> Copyright. All rights reserved © 1998–2024 </p> </div> </div> <noscript><img width="1" height="1" src="/Design/graphics/std/transparent_pixel.png" alt="no-js"></noscript> </div> </div> </div> <div id=end_scripts> <script> if (typeof(ElReg.Ga.sendPageView) === 'function') { ElReg.Ga.sendPageView('reg_onprem/personaltech','0df13fad2ea597c71ae99fa84c3f976d','0df13fad2ea597c71ae99fa84c3f976d'); } </script> <script> $(function() { RegUtils.set_bucket_group(272) }); </script> </div> </div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Canada okays bypassing software locks for repairs • The Register