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Ever bought something only to discover you don't really own it? That's the troubling reality Lewis Rossman is fighting against through his work with the Fulu Foundation.
What began as frustration over limited access to repair parts for Apple products evolved into a broader movement challenging how technology companies control our devices long after purchase. Rossman takes us behind the scenes of the right-to-repair movement, revealing how Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act effectively criminalizes breaking digital locks on products you've purchased – with penalties reaching up to five years in federal prison.
The conversation reveals shocking examples of companies remotely disabling functionality through firmware updates, then demanding subscription payments to restore features customers already paid for. From Samsung's Frame TVs to smart home devices, this practice is becoming alarmingly common. As Rossman explains, "When you buy things now, you just don't own them anymore."
We explore how these issues extend far beyond consumer electronics – affecting farmers with tractors, wheelchair users, military equipment, and even the gaming community through the "Stop Killing Games" movement. The environmental implications are equally concerning, with repair restrictions contributing significantly to e-waste problems. Rossman's behind-the-scenes stories about technicians smuggling motherboard components "in underwear through underground tunnels" highlight the desperate lengths repair professionals must go to circumvent these restrictions.
Despite these challenges, the movement has achieved meaningful victories. By documenting anti-ownership practices and encouraging everyday resistance, Rossman demonstrates how collective action can influence both policy and corporate behavior. His most powerful message? Change happens when millions of people push back, even in small ways, against practices that undermine true ownership.
Visit ConsumerRightsWiki to document instances where companies have disabled functionality on products you've purchased or required subscriptions for previously included features. Every contribution strengthens the movement for digital ownership rights.

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