No more working on your computer controlled car

[sjgreen6]

A number of auto makers and others including John Deere are working with the US Copyright office to propose that the software that operates your vehicle remains the property of the manufacturer. You therefore should not be allowed to access or modify the software under penalty of law. So looks like the future for us car enthusiasts will be limited to changing the air freshener.

» Automakers Want to Outlaw Gearheads From Working on Their Own Cars Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

[SMWS6TA]

Hell they can ask Dodge how that's been effecting their performance cars sales. For yrs Dodge took a hit because the aftermarket couldn't modify the code. Only in the last few yrs has the aftermarket been able to do stuff.

[theorangeguy]

Hell they can ask Dodge how that's been effecting their performance cars sales. For yrs Dodge took a hit because the aftermarket couldn't modify the code. Only in the last few yrs has the aftermarket been able to do stuff.

it took almost 4 years for the tuners to crack my trucks PCM...


4...years...

[SMWS6TA]

Not to mention think about just how them doing something like that would unite ever car hobbyist in the US. It would rival the NRA.

[theorangeguy]

Not to mention think about just how them doing something like that would unite ever car hobbyist in the US. It would rival the NRA.

sounds like a good reason to stick with older cars...

[KahanaReef]

sounds like a good reason to stick with older cars...

This

[chuckie669]

It's a good thing i can't afford anything remotely new or I'd be upset.

[GTP231]

Doubt it'll happen but we'll see

[5.0THIS]

There are also tags on mattresses that say if you remove them you'll go to jail.

[theorangeguy]

There are also tags on mattresses that say if you remove them you'll go to jail.

[kingls1]

There are also tags on mattresses that say if you remove them you'll go to jail.

I've done that before...I live life on the ragged edge. ....lol

[SMWS6TA]

I first thought this was some tin foil hat, Alex Jones conspiracy BS.....but....it's real.

One of the inherent rights of owning a vehicle is the ability to get on one’s backside — a wrench in one hand and a grease rag in the other, and just tinker to your little heart’s desire. Since the vehicle was invented, it’s been an important facet within the community of gearheads.


General Motors — the same company responsible for 87 deaths related to faulty ignition switches, FYI — wants to take that right away from you citing safety and security issues. Along with a few other big names.


It’s called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). It’s been around since 2000 and started as anti-Internet piracy legislation. But automakers want to use it to try and make working on your own car illegal. Yes, illegal. The general premise is that unlike cars of the past, today’s vehicles are so advanced and use such a large amount of software and coding in their general makeup, altering said code could be dangerous and possibly even malicious.


Listing the vehicle as a “mobile computing device,” the law would hypothetically protect automakers from pesky owners looking to alter any sort of technology in the vehicle that relates to the onboard computer. Flashing your ECU would be a big no no, which could also lead to all sorts of problems for aftermarket shops.

What GM, and even tractor companies like John Deere, argues is that you, as an owner, don’t actually own your car. Rather, you’re sort of just borrowing it for an extended amount of time and paying for the rights to use the technology. If it sounds ridiculous— it is. But it gets even more ludicrous.

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, John Deere argued that “letting people modify car computer systems will result in them pirating music through the on-board entertainment system.”

That’s right— pirating music. Through a tractor.


DMCA does give a little bit of leeway, though. While the act could hypothetically lock customers out of key safety features, it would still allow owners the ability to repair other areas of the vehicle’s onboard computer as they see fit. It’s a slim compromise, but one that may be more closely based in reality.
As it currently sits, there are 13 large automakers on the list supporting the DMCA. Want to know who they are? Of course you do:

General Motors Company
BMW Group
FCA US LLC
Ford Motor Company
Jaguar Land Rover
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz USA
Mitsubishi Motors
Porsche
Toyota
Volkswagen Group of America
Volvo Cars North America


Ironically, one of the brands that relies most on technology in its vehicles — Tesla Motors — in not in support of DMCA. While other American companies like GM, Ford and Chrysler all agree that working on your own vehicle should be punishable by law.


Funny how three brands that pride themselves on American ingenuity don’t want customers to work on their cars.

[bigrondownhiller]

I am sure the SEMA action network is working to stop this from happening.

[CJREX]

If this comes about, it will be done quietly.

Sales of performance cars would tank if it were well known.

[GTP231]

I first thought this was some tin foil hat, Alex Jones conspiracy BS.....but....it's real.

First I've heard there that many accidents let alone deaths involving ignition switch recalled vehicles. Last I heard was about 5 accidents and even then it hadn't been determined yet

[5.0THIS]

The DMCA does have some good parts to it, but in this aspect it's crap. I wouldn't worry too much about this going through though and being too meaningful.