Comment to the Federal Trade Commission: "Restoring an Open Marketplace for Product Repairs"

The Open Markets Institute filed a comment to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) exposing how manufacturers ​- of everything from cellphones to tractors – monopolize markets for parts and service, shutting out independent technicians, ​driving up repair costs, and sending more goods to landfills.

The comment points to Eastman Kodak Co. v. Image Tech. Servs., Inc; a landmark case decided in 1992, which opened up the possibility for plaintiffs to sue corporations that monopolize ​the​​ market for spare parts, accessories, and components for their products. Given the Kodak decision, we call on the FTC to restore the public’s right to repair.

Read the full letter here.