Look what the automakers are trying to do now.

[scoreh3]

So what are your thoughts on this BS . I just saw this and thought I would pass it on .

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/20/automakers-gearheads-car-repairs/

 

[cgalpha08]

So dumb. I guess it's another reason to buy older cars with simpler or no computers

 

[3Hummers]

Read about this the other day. They are trying another avenue to drive you to your friendly and cost effective dealer service department.

 

[rsc]

I guess I'm going to be an outlaw.

 

[RamRod]

I guess I'm going to be an outlaw.

Me too!!

 

[Big2dabank]

This is absurd, I'd like to see them enforce this nonsense. Enter my property to stop me from working or modifying another piece of my property, which I purchased with my hard earned money. :foff::bang2:

I can see the fine print now on future purchase agreements for cars. What a waste of time?

 

[abearden]

As a computer guy.... try and stop me. I don't mess with them now, but if you tell me I'm not allowed to I will make sure it's possible and freely available on the internet.

 

[goat]

No worries folks. I'm sure a certain group of our elected rocket surgeons in Washington
will crank out some form of Obamautocare to shove down the American motoring public's
throat if you can't afford stealership health insurance.

Our Dads, Granddads, Uncles, Brothers historically have tricked out, bored, cut on, lifted,
lowered, tweaked, wrenched their rides since the first combustion engine was secured in
in a chassis suspended on two or four wheels.
GM might "reevaluate its entire electronic architecture"
Holy Friggin' Crap! Didn't you, I and everyone else bail their azzes out not long ago?
Ultimately, they hose us Hummer owners with a single corporate mouse click . . .

 

[High Five H2]

ok, so I'm trying to understand the legal precedent on this. they're saying that according to the DMCA, which was originally intended to stop piracy, they don't want people repairing their own vehicle. here's why I'm seeing this won't fly: people aren't "pirating" vehicle software and putting it into their own custom made cars, and repairing a vehicle isn't copying software. I mean, Apple doesn't sue because some guy is repairing iPod screens (well, maybe they are. apple is lawsuit crazy so who knows).

the only precedent that I can think of is protecting software from being modified, which, as far as I know, is not illegal. Also, the way that people modify the software is just settings, not the program itself. It's like hacking MS word so you can change the font to a larger size that's easier to read. I don't think it'll fly.

 

[abearden]

ok, so I'm trying to understand the legal precedent on this. they're saying that according to the DMCA, which was originally intended to stop piracy, they don't want people repairing their own vehicle. here's why I'm seeing this won't fly: people aren't "pirating" vehicle software and putting it into their own custom made cars, and repairing a vehicle isn't copying software. I mean, Apple doesn't sue because some guy is repairing iPod screens (well, maybe they are. apple is lawsuit crazy so who knows).

the only precedent that I can think of is protecting software from being modified, which, as far as I know, is not illegal. Also, the way that people modify the software is just settings, not the program itself. It's like hacking MS word so you can change the font to a larger size that's easier to read. I don't think it'll fly.

According to the DMCA, bypassing ANY encryption or software lock is considered unlawful access of a computer system. Even if the software or system is something you own, bypassing the manufacturer security is illegal. If they encrypt, make tamper resistant, or in any way lock the ECU it's illegal to break that open. Since vehicles are increasingly rolling computers, we're quickly reaching the point where it becomes illegal to modify or tamper with any of it.

 

[scoreh3]

So what's to stop someone from making an aftermarket upgraded ECU to replace the factory one . I see that as the same as upgrading your computer . I don't see HP and Apple saying repairing or upgrading your computer is a copyright violation .

 

[High Five H2]

that makes sense.

 

[SedonaBound]

When it comes to software protection, the laws have been made so strict in favor of copyright owners that they can take your first-born.

 

[High Five H2]

I wonder if there's a market for a totally aftermarket ECU? There's probably will be if this gets passed into law. Isn't that what megasquirt is? EFI live maybe? it's not an area that I'm that familiar with.

 

[abearden]

Yeah, lots of standalone ECUs out there, but these days that might cut a LOT of functionality out of your car: navigation, in-dash entertainment, etc.

 

[SedonaBound]

Any lawyers here? If you defeat a required safety function in the electronics, e.g. "stabilitrak" can you be held liable in an accident? Can your insurer deny a claim?