I really doubt Google is somehow subverting copyright law in the way you're suggesting.

Anyways, if this got passed, the ability to modify cars would be limited to older models. Yes, replacing the factory software with something else would be an option, but only if you replaced every bit of OEM software. If any remain, they could cry infringement. This could potentially extend to sensors as well. How many people could afford that? Not many. More than that, how many third parties are going to want to take on the liability associated with designing a complete replacement of OEM software? Again, not many. Think of how expensive it is when a manufacturer has to issue a recall because of a software issue. I can't think of any company that designs aftermarket parts that could afford that.

 

so here's the thing, the car tuning hobby is minuscule in the grand scheme of DMCA things, I'd say more or less irrelevant to the people actually making the decisions. then of the car tuning hobby people, take those that care specifically about ecu tuning, and then of those take the ones willing to take time out of their day to do anything about this... and honestly I'd be surprised if you can find 100 people. in other words, completely and utterly irrelevant.

What I'm trying to say is if you want to make any sort of impact on this, get involved with the people dealing (fighting, trying to negotiate fair terms, whatever you wanna call it) with the DMCA and RIAA on a larger scale.

 

I don't think this is a big deal. Any attempts to write a federal law to force people servicing their cars at manufacturer's dealerships can quickly escalate into a lobbying war.

Nevertheless, I sometimes feel many of my friends' bias against GM is just narrow-minded anti-Americanism. In some other times, however, I feel my friends' bias against GM is well founded because GM is indeed an evil corporation.

When reading this thread, I think it's the later.

 

I'm not sure if this will win... But if it does, then it could really hurt both the car manufactures and aftermarket comunity. Some people buy cars because of the options the aftermarket community has for that vehicle.

 

the amount of people that buy cars for its aftermarket is a tiny drop in the bucket... car manufactures won't feel this financially and they'll like the fact that their cars can't be messed with. I mean have you ever read an owners manual that didn't have some variation of "do not modify this car"?

 

Plus, how many people are going to want to avoid buying a new car for a significant period of time? Realistically, people will simply buy an old car for modification purposes, and continue buying a new car every few years as their daily driver.

 

I think the bottom line is im paying for this car to own it not rent it from you. Because when it brakes down for sure they are not going to pay for it...i will be the one footing the bill.