I'm curious why freedom-to-tinker is not considered free-expression in the USA, clear and simple. I mean we pride ourselves on it.
As long as the item is purchased (owned) and it is for personal use and warranties are clearly voided, what business is it otherwise to the manufacturer after they make the sale.
Of course they can get around this by never actually selling the tractor and only leasing it to farmers, then the farmers are screwed because they don't own it - until Chinese clones show up.
Our government does not take pride in it. People who can fix things or build things themselves are a danger to corporate interests, so hackers are considered to be dangerous criminals. Nobody gives a fuck if that means we're destroying our own future, because that's our children's problem.
As long as the item is purchased (owned) and it is for personal use and warranties are clearly voided, what business is it otherwise to the manufacturer after they make the sale.
Of course they can get around this by never actually selling the tractor and only leasing it to farmers, then the farmers are screwed because they don't own it - until Chinese clones show up.