November 27, 2024
In a recent report, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has confirmed what many consumers have suspected: 89% of smart products, including home appliances like washing machines, fail to disclose how long they will receive software updates. This lack of transparency leaves consumers vulnerable to “ownership expiration dates”—where devices no longer work or lose essential features once software updates stop.
If you’ve purchased a smart appliance, phone, or laptop only to find it stops functioning or loses critical functionality after a certain period, you may have experienced the fallout of this growing issue. The FTC’s findings follow a September letter from PIRG and 16 other groups urging the commission to address “software tethering,” the practice where manufacturers cut off support and features after a product reaches an undisclosed expiration date.
Manufacturers Might Be Breaking the Law
The FTC’s report raises serious concerns that manufacturers may be violating both the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and the FTC Act. These laws require manufacturers to clearly disclose product warranties, including the duration of software support, and prohibit deceptive marketing practices.
The FTC has made it clear: when manufacturers fail to disclose how long a product will be supported with software updates, or when they remove key features that were advertised, they may be engaging in deceptive practices that violate consumer protection laws. For example, manufacturers could be deceiving consumers by marketing a device as having certain features and then failing to provide updates necessary to maintain those features.
If you’ve been affected by a smart product’s lack of software support or unexpected “expiration,” you may have a legal claim.
Know Your Rights: You Deserve Durable Products
As technology advances, it is more important than ever for consumers to know how long their appliances and devices will last before they stop receiving updates or support. When products are no longer supported, they become obsolete, and consumers are left without recourse.
The right to repair and transparency regarding product longevity is a critical issue for consumers today. We believe that products should be designed to last, and that consumers deserve to know when their devices will “expire.” This is why organizations like PIRG are calling for better labeling and repair scores to ensure that we are informed before making a purchase.
If You’ve Been Affected, Contact Us Today
If you own a smart appliance, phone, or any other connected device and have experienced issues related to software support or product expiration, you may have legal options. Our firm is investigating cases related to this issue and can help you understand your rights under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and FTC Act.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you own a smart appliance, phone, or any other connected device and have experienced issues related to software support or product expiration, you may have legal options. Our firm is investigating cases related to this issue and can help you understand your rights under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and FTC Act.