You must have found a sticker that says “Warranty void if removed” or “warranty does not apply if the sticker is removed” that you usually find on the back of an electronic device. It’s a warning to you when you take it off then warranty does not apply. But it turns out, stickers like this are actually illegal.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the commission dealing with the US antimonopoly trade and surveillance issues, claims that under federal law there, customers are allowed to repair their own goods, and manufacturers can not force customers to use their official repair service.
Given the high cost of replacement parts and official repair services, it is not surprising that many are turning to third-party services, which in some cases have resulted in some unintended consequences. According to the FTC, this is based on the 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, preventing manufacturers from imposing restrictions on devices that offer warranty.
The FTC writes, “This letter warns that FCT is very concerned about the company’s statement that consumers should use certain parts or service providers to keep the warranty intact. Unless the guarantor provides parts or services for free or receives a waiver of demands from the FTC, such statements are generally prohibited by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a law governing consumer product warranties. Similarly, such statements may be deceptive under the FTC Act. “
So far the FTC has reminded the six companies even though they did not mention which companies it meant. The company was given 30 days to update their website and comply with US federal law before the FTC takes further action.
