We need a piracy exception written into law for service manuals and wiring diagrams -- and we need repair pros to share the docs. How can local govs make this happen? angielski

cross-posted from: slrpnk.net/post/21474519

Not sure if a local gov could get away with this. Is it sensible to ask the local gov take formal actions to declare copyright as unenforcable on things like service manuals and wiring diagrams, which product makers protect almost like trade secrets? It’s not likely enforced anyway, but a formal step would be needed before leaked service manuals could be distributed by public libraries.

In the EU, manufacturers must share repair docs with third-party /insured/ repair professionals (not consumers) for some specific products like washing machines.

Using a stick

Would it be sensible for a local law to require those professionals who have privileged access to repair docs to share whatever they obtain in the course of their work with a public library?

using a carrot

Would it be sensible for a policy to compensate professionals who have privileged access to repair docs for sharing whatever they obtain in the course of their work with a public library? It could be abused. E.g. an appliance repair shop could submit multiple wiring diagrams for the same product as separate submissions if they are (e.g.) paid $/€ 50 per submission.

If the carrot and stick are both used, repair pros could get 50 for the first submitted doc for each model, but then have a mandate to supply any additional docs they receive for that model without further compensation. Maybe that’s too detailed for a petition.