SB 542 Requires manufacturer to provide repairs

This bill requires original equipment manufacturer to make available to an owner or independent repair provider at fair and reasonable terms any of the following that Manufacturer makes available to authorized repair provider: any necessary documentation, tool, part, or other device or implement for purpose of diagnosing, maintaining, repairing, or updating consumer electronic equipment sold in Oregon; or any documentation, tool, or part necessary to disable and reset electronic security lock or function that is or must be disabled or reset while diagnosing, maintaining, or repairing the consumer electronic equipment.

When certain home electronics are not functioning properly, the consumer may face the choice of replacing the product or paying for repair services of a business authorized by the original manufacturer to make the repair. Attempting to repair the product at home or through a service not authorized by the original manufacturer may void the warranty, and the tools and instructions necessary to make the repair may not be available.

No study was done to determine the feasibility or the impact on raising the cost, or what is already available for repairs in the competitive marketplace. Allows person to recover actual damages or statutory damages of $1,000, whichever is greater, along with attorney fees and court costs. That risk will impact the cost of the product.