FTC: Warranty Void Stickers are Illegal

[6souls]

Sony, Nintendo, & Hyundai outed in Targeted Campaign

Ordering customers to "use specified parts or service providers to keep their warranties intact" was also prohibited, it said.

"Provisions that tie warranty coverage to the use of particular products or services harm both consumers who pay more for them as well as the small businesses who offer competing products and services," said the FTC's Thomas Pahl.

Stickers that say "warranty void if removed" are often found on gadgets, in many cases covering screws that would let somebody open the product and inspect its internal components.

The regulator said such provisions were "generally prohibited by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a law that governs consumer product warranties".

It has given the six companies 30 days to "revise their practices" and warned that failure to do so could "result in law enforcement action".

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43724348
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pres...ranty-coverage

[arus2001]

While not listed, could've used this a few years ago when fucking with a used xbox.

[mallister]

This is real common on medical devices. Good luck.

[LinktheDeme]

Isn't this something Apple does as well?

[Fiye]

Isn't this something Apple does as well?

No apple does other stuff like screws that show tampering.

[6souls]

Sony Changes their Warranties for PS4, PlayStation VR, PS Vita and PS3 in North America

First, SIE limited certain warranty exclusions to instances where damage has occurred. For example:

• Our previous warranties stated that the warranty does not apply if the product is used with a peripheral that is not supplied or licensed by SIE. Our updated warranties state that the warranty does not apply “to damage caused by” use of the product with an unlicensed peripheral.
• Our previous warranties stated that the warranty does not apply if the warranty seal on the product has been altered or removed. Our updated warranty states that the warranty does not apply “to damage caused by” opening the product or to damage caused by service performed by someone other than a representative of SIE or an SIE-authorized service provider.

Second, SIE added language that clarifies and confirms our longstanding practice of providing free return shipping for in-warranty consoles in the U.S. and Canada, and free return shipping for repaired (or factory-recertified) consoles to the customer. SIE long has provided this free, round-trip shipping, but its warranties didn’t specifically say so. Now they do.

Regardless of the printed warranty language in the user manual and other materials that were in the box with your U.S. or Canada PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®3, and PlayStation®Vita systems, you’re now covered by the applicable updated warranty. Thus, for example, SIE will not decline to provide in-warranty service for these systems based solely on the warranty seal being altered or removed—even if a seal on the product itself says the warranty is void if it is damaged or removed. Of course, the product does still have to fall within the warranty time period.

https://support.us.playstation.com/a...tation-Systems

The new limited warranty terms now allow PS4 (and PSVR, PS3 and PS Vita) owners to void the seal and open up their systems while still retaining Sony’s warranty, although the warranty does not apply when the system is damaged due to opening it. A subtle change, but still an important one as it appears that Sony will now have to prove that a system was actually damaged due to opening it instead of merely saying the warranty doesn’t apply as the seal was voided.

https://wccftech.com/sony-playstation-4-waranty-seal/

[Xno Kappa]

Wish they had done a few years ago lol.

[dasva]

I think that might be a tad optimistic. Like is the burden of proof really on sony here? Because I could see them just going well that damage could've been caused by opening it up therefore it was

[NynJa]

People will start recording single take videos of them breaking the seal, opening it, closing it, then turning it on to prove that it wasnt "broken upon open"...the same way unboxers do (which I may add are ridiculously stupid videos lol)