Preserving the right to hack hardware (was: Off Topic...

From: Gene Buckle <geneb_at_deltasoft.com>
Date: Mon Jul 9 16:39:46 2001

> For example, under the letter of the law in the UK it is illegal for me
> to replace the filter in an RK05 drive that's working correctly. Because
> that would be a 'refurbishment' and as such I would have to bring the
> entire system up to the current EMC standards. If, on the other hand, I
> waited for the heads to crash and then replaced the heads and filter,
> that would be a repair, and would be legal.
>
Ok, this is VERY much news to my eyes. Personally I'd tell 'em to bugger
off, I'll maintain my own gear as I see fit. :)
 
> It is also illegal to sell electronic kits in the UK unless you can state
> that a correctly-assembled example of the kit meets all current
> regulations (EMC, low voltage directive, and so on). Heck, the
> appropriate bit of the government actually told me that I had to be sure

Ok, that's just silly. Do they publicly flog engineers too? :)

> Needless to say this law is currently being applied (IMHO) correctly, to
> prevent the sale of stuff which causes widespread radio interference.
> This doesn't alter the fact that it could be applied a lot more widely...
>
Agreed!

g.
Received on Mon Jul 09 2001 - 16:39:46 BST