Law Stack Exchange
Law Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [hardware]

22 questions
14
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3 answers

Is it legal to fix an iPhone with a non original battery in California?

I got my iPhone XR battery replaced 6 months ago. I chose a bigger capacity battery. The tech guy told me it is not apple's original part. But I decided to give it a shot. Battery life has been working great for me. The same phone got its screen…
Maxfield
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Is there a Legal Requirement for Computer Companies to Include an Operating System when Selling a PC?

I asked a company if they could sell me a PC without an installed Operating System, as I plan to install my own. Their response was that "We have to legally include a OS with all of our systems. So we include Windows 10." It surprised me that this…
jacobandgeckos
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2 answers

Does replacing the operating system on my laptop void my warranty?

I purchased a typical mid-range laptop in late March this year. It came with Windows preinstalled. As soon as I unpacked the computer I removed Windows and installed Linux. I have been using it without any problems until two weeks ago. The system…
lbx1807
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3 answers

In the US, is it legal to flash your own code onto a physical device to unlock new features?

This question is an expansion of Hacking devices to unlock features: Legal or not? I'm currently in possession of a laser measurement tool called Bosch GLM20 which is their most basic model. As per the manufacturer website it doesn't support several…
JonathanReez
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2 answers

Is it forbidden to sell a device that mimicks a third party's device USB descriptor?

This is a pretty USB specific question, I was redirected here from the technical stack exchange. I am trying to figure out what the legislation is around the development by company A of a USB peripheral for use by hardware/software developed by…
Julien BERNARD
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3
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2 answers

Would the Oracle v. Google lawsuit imply that any API can be re-implemented, including hardware CPU ISAs?

I understood that the lawsuit implies that APIs are not copyrightable. Hardware CPU ISAs (e.g. x86 and ARM) are an API (?), and could have different implementations. However, there are precedents where CPU developer companies have sued / "cease and…
Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com
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2 answers

Firmware code written under GPLv3 was modified. What should be published?

The firmware for an embedded device (e.g., a toaster) is modified significantly. Algorithms are rewritten from scratch, the code is made compatible with different hardware, etc. The end (hardware) product is sold, but the binary of the firmware is…
Harry Zalessky
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2 answers

Phone Recording and phone routing - USA

I am pretty familiar with the legalities of USA one-party and two-party recording laws, but there is one piece of the puzzle that doesn't seem clear. For some background, I received a call from a Missouri number (landline). We discussed some things…
Nick Allen
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2
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1 answer

What is the legal status of data (intentionally deleted or not) on a second-hand computer?

If a person purchases a second-hand computer, and the seller has not wiped the hard drives of that computer before the sale, is it legal for the buyer to access the data on it? Alternatively, if the data on the drive was intentionally deleted, would…
LivingInformation
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2
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1 answer

Is it legal to replace something's firmware?

I'm a software/hardware hacker and I am wondering about how legal it is to replace the firmware of something. This something can be a car a chinese quadcopter a phone a Canon EOS 5D a (connected) digital thermometer a presence sensor ……
Salamandar
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Legal implications of unsecure bluetooth device

I have recently learned about a high-tech premium bed base that incorporates Bluetooth speakers, plus massage actuators and other features controllable via a smartphone app. Like many insecure Bluetooth speakers, the ones in the bed base will pair…
bobflux
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Do companies have a legal right to force you to use their server after you have purchased their hardware?

I have purchased several "Internet of Things" devices that, by default, come with an app that lets you turn it on and off. They use normal WiFi to communicate and are screwed into the walls so are now awkward to replace. The default app communicates…
James Geddes
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Selling a product using a hardware with replaced software

I bought an unbranded China-made Wi-fi router and I replaced the built-in firmware/software with another firmware/software and make it as a portable computer with my own software installed in it. In other words, I optimize and turn the hardware of…
ordinary_guy
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1 answer

How to legally publish a NES/Famicom ROM wrapped in an emulator app for another platform?

Let's say I want to publish a NES game and I've written the game and it's in .nes ROM format (I haven't, but let's pretend hypothetically). And I want this software to run on modern platforms like iOS / macOS / Android / Nintendo Switch / Steam /…
Mentalist
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Is it possible to disallow a usage of a device in a certain way?

I have bought a Timeular bluetooth time tracker device, the only application supporting the tracker is a paid subscription. I do not want to use that application, I think it's ridiculous that I have to pay a subscription on top of the already…
InvisibleMan
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