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

From: Gene Buckle <geneb_at_deltasoft.com>
Date: Tue Jul 10 09:29:45 2001

> The problem is, though, the definition of 'refurbishment'. It seems to
> cover 'replacement of a component, for reasons other than failure of the
> machine' or words to that effect. And thus it does cover 'preventive
> maintenance'.
>
> It is actually arguable if this law applies at all if you're not planning
> on reselling the machine. I've certainly never heard of it being applied
> to PM on a classic computer (whether used for business or owned by a
> collector).
>
>
It makes me wonder if some nutcase will try to apply it to vintage
hobbiests....It's scary actually.
 
> > > 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? :)
>
> No. There are just very few active electronic engineers in the UK :-(. In
> part because the laws seem to be designed to prevent small electronics
> companies. Period.
>
Any idea why that is? Is there any active promotion of things like
amateur(sp) radio?
 
> For example, I recently built a custom power supply for an friend. Before
> I could legally sell it to him, I had to pay a Chartered Electrical
> Engineer to do so safety tests on it. Needless to say it passed (and also
> needless to say I'd done the tests myself before I had it officially
> tested, just to be sure). Note that this was for a 1-off unit going to a
> technically-minded friend.
>
> And although I am quite capable of doing the tests myself, I am not a
> 'competant person' as the term is used in the laws. Which means that if
> said PSU had ever caused an injury, the lawyers could have a field day
> with me.
>
> Great, isn't it :-(

Geeze. I thought we had our hands full here...my sympathies. Move here,
you can build power supplies to your hearts' content. :) [not to mention
tinkering without being hung out to dry for it].

g.
Received on Tue Jul 10 2001 - 09:29:45 BST