I think this is a slightly different, though related, point. Built-in artificial obsolescence, where an otherwise perfectly usable device is deliberately crippled at some point by some sort of unnecessary software or hardware barrier, is never in the customer&#x27;s interests.<p>This one has an easy solution, though: manufacturers and vendors should be compelled to prominently disclose exactly what the nature of any such behaviour will be before the sale is finalised, so customers can vote with their wallets and there is awareness in the market if anyone wants to compete on the basis that they have no (or at least less customer-hostile) artificial limitations. Fail to do so and be on the hook for whatever the normal compensation would be for a device breaking at the time the limitation kicks in, up to and including a partial or full refund of the purchase price or even paying additional compensation for any consequential losses.