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It should be illegal to bundle hardware with closed-source copyrighted software.

If you sell hardware you can bundle it with open-source software that people are free to modify.

Or you can sell it without software and other vendors can supply closed-source software that can't be modified, but you can't have exclusive agreements with those vendors or prefer one over another.




I have to admit, I'd love to be able to modify the software in my microwave to disable the incessant reminder beep. But I'm not sure I agree in general that it companies shouldn't be able to copyright their own software, or put measures in place that make it impractical or impossible for me to modify it. Presumably I'm aware of that when I buy it, and I have options. But I think that's different from being able to repair it.


Does this extend into the used market?

I buy a widget without software, install a closed source option that is available for the widget, and later want to sell it. Do I have to remove the software?




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