Maintenance and Modifications
FTC To Hold Repair Restriction Workshop
The free event, while not aviation specific, looks to examine ways in which manufacturers seek to limit third-party repairs in various industries.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host a meeting in Washington, D.C., next week to examine ways in which manufacturers may limit third-party repairs and whether those limitations affect consumer protection. Titled “Nixing the Fix: A Workshop on Repair Restrictions,” the July 16 session at the Constitution Center is open to the public and will discuss some of the issues that arise when a manufacturer restricts or makes it impossible for a consumer or an independent repair shop to make product repairs and whether such restrictions undercut the Warranty Act’s protections. The afternoon workshop will consist of three panel discussions: How do repair restrictions affect consumers and small businesses? What are the arguments for and against repair restrictions? and What is the fix?