Man Who Teaches People How To Repair Their MacBooks Alludes To Apple Lawsuit (gamerevolution.com) 150
New submitter alzoron writes: After the failure of New York's Fair Repair Act, independent third-party unauthorized Apple repair shops seem to be under attack. Louis Rossmann, owner of Rossman Repair Group, INC has uploaded a somewhat vague video alluding to his Youtube site, where he posts videos about repairing out of warranty repairs, possibly being shut down. Several sources (Reddit, Mac Kung Fu, 9to5Mac) have been speculating about this and whether or not Apple is behind this. Game Revolution reported on the video (Link is to cache version of the site since the report has since been removed), breaking down each section of the video. 6:52: Louis informs viewers that they can download YouTube videos. 7:41: Louis mentions that YouTube channels have a "finite lifespan," often because a large corporation has the power and money to shut them down. 8:42: Louis shares that he's happy when he's lived a difficult life so that he can be strong for the immense challenge that is ahead. 10:06: Louis shares that he is going to have to fight from his point onward. 11:22: Louis states that all his videos may soon be gone. 11:32: Louis mentions that his business may disappear. Given what Louis has mentioned, it's apparent that Louis has been threatened by Apple likely for condemning its policies to a growing subscriber base, but also for showing users how to repair its hardware without going through Apple support.
UPDATE 7/1/16: The headline has been updated to clarify that the lawsuit is unconfirmed. We'll continue to update the story as it develops.
UPDATE 7/1/16: The headline has been updated to clarify that the lawsuit is unconfirmed. We'll continue to update the story as it develops.
it can't be for distributing copyrighted materials (Score:2, Insightful)
This guy has a massive pariah complex, and great job feeding it, slashdot.
It appears the guy is using Apple-copyrighted schematics. If he wants his youtube videos to stay up it's really simple to just not put them in the video. Just draw your own representation of the part of the circuit you are working on and put that up.
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No, the "weld the hood shut" approach coupled with the snobbery dickishness of their design and marketing teams about their products puts me off even accepting a free idevice, let alone buying one. I would join this man in feeling joy in repairing them for other people, simply because it is disruptive to those pretentious fucks in cupertino.
Joining those picks in denialism about the quality of the products does not earn any brownie points, ac.
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Several class action lawsuits and Apple's own free repair program that they've extended once again to the end of this year seems to support that it's more than just a fictional problem. Of course them replacing defective parts with other defective parts doesn't help their image much.
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Re: it can't be for distributing copyrighted mater (Score:1, Interesting)
Bendgate
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-2007
When the 15" MacBook Pro had a frame with hinges attached to it instead of them sensibly being attached to a backplate, so they constantly broke like paperclips.
Apple experience and quality.
-2008
When the graphics chips were dying on all the Apple computers. Apple was forced to help by a class action lawsuit. How that worked? They put an Apple diagnostic disc into your computer to decide whether they may or may not help you, based on whether the test passes. Of course, it can't work if you don't have a
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what I find particularly amusing is that in 2013-2014 they finally figured it out. 2015-2016 machines use almost the same designs but the fans don't spin up for an additional 10-20c over the older models... WHY!!! :(
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How does making hardware that lasts longer sell more units? That doesn't even begin to make sense.
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I suspect your question isn't serious, but the way it works is the pyramid of technology distribution. Older technology that's still working gets passed down to others who are less savvy, who then become customers of your brand. Free stuff handout marketing that doesn't cost your company anything? Yeah, that's not a bad thing.
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Yeah, 'cause that works anymore.
Imagine you have that ancient $brand TV. From like two decades ago. It cost a fortune and a half back then, but it was built to last. It's a CRT. Without picture-in-picture. Without USB port of course. Or HD. HD-ready? Uhhh... no. DLN...what?
Yeah, that huge, heavy box that can barely display any current TV programs, that's some free advertisement... Much better than those slick, flat things that can do everything!
Nobody gives a shit about how long things last. What people car
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Give it to a retro gamer or smash bros player and you'll make him/her happy as a clam. A lag-free, DRM-free true black level display that doesn't scale incoming video and looks good in all supported resolutions? Hell yeah!
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Yes, both of them would rejoice, and now for the other old boxes we have sitting here?
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If you've been living under one of these large heavy boxes for the past 5 years you might find yourself out of a roof due to someone snatching it up - retro gaming is big right now. Don't be surprised if you see people happily lined up to take them heavy old clunkers off your hands (or your nearby curb).
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Odd. I see very few notes on MTBF on the displays next to the products in the store. But I see a long list of checkboxes telling me of the features the box has.
Must be that communism thing, where stores show stuff nobody wants to know but refuses to inform you about the important things!
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Alternatively, Apple could make laptops that don't have massive heating issues and ridiculous failure rates. 2009 to 2013 Macbook Pros have absolutely ridiculous failure rates and the new models aren't that much better.
Is this why I am seeing so much more older Macbooks still in operation and functioning just fine compared to Windows laptops? You're funny.
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But this guy has been gaming Reddit for "viral" content and look here how he now is on
Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:5, Insightful)
I suppose I should rejoice at error 53, GPU failures with no extended warranty, and touch IC flaws. Thank you for creating a device where the touchIC becomes desoldered from the board right outside of warranty. God bless your souls!!!
No, man. When something isn't the way it should be, you say something about it.
I would say the title could have used some work... it's jumping to a conclusion.
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Error 53 is because of crappy repair places that, when replacing a cracked screen, replace the entire front assembly (which the Home button with the TouchID sensor is attached to) because it's faster and easier, rather than moving the existing Home button to the new front assembly like they should.
And then, because the original TouchID sensor inside the Home button is cryptographically paired to the CPU's secure enclave but the "new" one is not, the operating system gives Error 53 and refuses to boot to mak
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Everyone is a hero until the Cockroach flies.
Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:4, Funny)
This guy has a massive pariah complex
I've always wanted to live in one of those!
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You can't touch this!
Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:5, Insightful)
Education and commentary is a fair use exception to copyright. He was clearly using them for educational purposes and commentary and therefore they are almost certainly fair use.
Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:4, Interesting)
I would say if this is does not constitute educational fair use than I do not know what is. You can only see tiny snippets, you are missing all of the information required to actually design this product.
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Except, the case he makes probably better be that they are non-copyrightable..... Because in past videos he has mentioned obtaining the schematics from illegal Romanian FTP servers.
If the copy of the work you possessed before 'using' it was illegal in the first place, and used the work for commercial gain, then fair use defense will be hard.
If he gets challenged on the use of dodgy schematics in his own repair jobs, and that's not defensible, then he could face Disgorgement of every $$$ he ever ear
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car manufacturers do the same BS (Score:2)
car manufacturers do the same BS in that independent repair shops have to get software and manuals form iffy places as they can't buy them.
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Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't see why this is "front page news" at this point. The video is all innuento. No facts. Nothing concrete. Nothing corroborated. There is no news story!
It appears the guy is using Apple-copyrighted schematics.
IF that's their beef, then I hope Rossman takes them to task for it.
Board schematics are a factual description of a physical object. Factual information cannot be copyrighted; 1st amendment issue. You can patent the board, but that doesn't allow you to prevent dissemination of facts..
Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:4, Insightful)
You've obviously not dealt with electronics much. If it was just a netlist, I might agree, but drawing good schematics is an art requiring skill.
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Contrast a clear, easily understood schematic with one with the components randomly distributed and ratsnest of interconnections.
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So, you agree that good schematics are creative. Why didn't you simply agree in the first place?
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Re:it can't be for distributing copyrighted materi (Score:4, Interesting)
YANAL, and you have misinterpreted the distinction between facts that cannot be copyrighted, and a particular representation of facts that can be copyrighted.
For instance, I can open the phonebook and copy the entries into a separate database and sell it, because the phone numbers themselves are facts that are not covered by copyright, see [1]. But I could not photocopy an entire page of the phonebook and sell it elsewhere without permission. Similarly, I can take the same ingredients/methods in a recipe book and republish those recipes, see [2]. But I cannot simply photocopy the recipe book and sell it as my own. To quote [2] at length (my emphasis):
So the question here is did the defendant copy the schematics verbatim or he did he read the schematics and produce a different form of the same factual information separately? Until you answer that question, you cannot reach the question of whether he violated Apple's copyright in the schematic.
[ And, FWIW, I haven't seen the schematics he posted versus the originals, so I can't answer that question and take a side. ]
Further Reading:
[1] Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Tel. Serv. Co., 499 U.S. 340, 347 (1991)
[2] Publications International v Meredith Corp., 88 F.3d 473 (7th Cir., 1996)
It's not just facts (Score:2)
It is an expression of them.
You cannot prevent distribution of the facts. That's why I said he should make his own representation of the facts and distribute that.
But you don't have a clear cut right to redistribute someone else's copyrighted expression of the information.
I've seen his videos, he only shows a small section of the schematic. He should just redraw that section himself and use that in his video. It's easy.
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Usage of copyrighted Repair manuals can constitute fair use. Though Apple will force a court hearing to mount such a defense.
http://www.internetlibrary.com... [internetlibrary.com]
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He did this imminent threat routine just last September/October with Yelp, putting warnings all over his videos about the threat of them being taken down.
Probably gets a lot of traffic.
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Shorter version: (Score:5, Insightful)
Self-promoter promotes himself with vague claims. Also, you're supposed to be mad at Apple because someone -- possibly a lawyer who wants to file a class action lawsuit -- has figured out a way to personally benefit if enough people are mad at Apple.
Slashdot resorting to bible verses (Score:1, Funny)
6:52: Jesus informs viewers that they can download YouTube videos.
7:41: Jesus mentions that YouTube channels have a "finite lifespan,"
8:42: Jesus shares that he's happy when he's lived a difficult life so that he can be strong for the immense challenge that is ahead.
10:06: Jesus shares that he is going to have to fight from his point onward.
11:22: Jesus states that all his videos may soon be gone.
11:32: Jesus mentions that his business may disappear
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Louis Rossman.
Man counter sues (Score:1)
Mislead in the headline much? (Score:5, Insightful)
There is *speculation* that takedowns are coming from Apple, but no actual evidence and generally speaking DMCA notices have names (at least of a law firm) attached. As news sources go, Reddit forums rank right up there with the National Enquirer. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to bash Apple: political censorship, slumping software quality, etc. No need to invent fake ones.
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I am kinda surprised that made the headline myself.
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Nuh uh! The summary says it's apparent that he has been threatened by Apple. How dare you second guess the infallibility of the summary!
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It's not fake to point out that Apple is shitty to people who want to fix their own Apple products, that they fucking own.
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That's not the problem. The problem is the vast majority of people do not have the skill to do so.
Warranty fraud is huge. You wonder why Apple put those moisture sensors in everything? Because people have claimed they did not drop their thing in water. Even if it's soaking wet, the screen's got fog on it, and there's a huge puddle of water centered around said thing, if not already dripp
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That was a pretty speech, but does it explain why Apple makes it impossible to change a fucking battery? I'm amused when companies hate their own customers to this extent.
I see the pro-Apple Astroturfing is Strong (Score:3, Informative)
This guy is a modern hero. He works extremely hard to make the world a better place. He's well-spoken, selfless, and kind. I'm glad people like Louis Rossmann are out there in the world, doing what they do.
He reminds me a bit of Mister Rogers. Someone who you can look to and say: "This is how all people should be. This is how all people should act." And then smile.
Thanks for helping us out, Louis. I hope we can find some ways to help you out, too. Remember, don't be hesitant to take help from people. There are a lot of us in your court.
Re:I see the pro-Apple Astroturfing is Strong (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, because asking for actual evidence to back up wild speculation is clearly astro-turfing. How dare them!
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Apple fanboys are so mentally ill, Apple doesn't even need to astroturf.
Louis attacks Apple on fanboys core beliefs, like "Apple has better build quality". This has to be punished.
The FTC is to blame for this (Score:5, Insightful)
The Clayton Act made both substantive and procedural modifications to federal antitrust law. Substantively, the act seeks to capture anticompetitive practices in their incipiency by prohibiting particular types of conduct, not deemed in the best interest of a competitive market. There are 4 sections of the bill that proposed substantive changes in the antitrust laws by way of supplementing the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. In those sections, the Act thoroughly discusses the following four principles of economic trade and business:
price discrimination between different purchasers if such a discrimination substantially lessens competition or tends to create a monopoly in any line of commerce (Act Section 2, codified at 15 U.S.C. 13);
sales on the condition that (A) the buyer or lessee not deal with the competitors of the seller or lessor ("exclusive dealings") or (B) the buyer also purchase another different product ("tying") but only when these acts substantially lessen competition (Act Section 3, codified at 15 U.S.C. 14);
mergers and acquisitions where the effect may substantially lessen competition (Act Section 7, codified at 15 U.S.C. 18) or where the voting securities and assets threshold is met (Act Section 7a, codified at 15 U.S.C. 18a);
any person from being a director of two or more competing corporations, if those corporations would violate the anti-trust criteria by merging (Act Section 8; codified 1200 at 15 U.S.C. 19).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Specifically product trying (Act Section 3, codified at 15 U.S.C. 14).
Apple has been tying its products together for years:
Really the FTC needs to step in and annihilate this behavior, if they can't play fairly, then they don't deserve to play at all.
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"Apple has been tying its products together for years:" They have been doing this since day one. There are just more products today. This business model was almost their undoing back in the mid 90's. They were within weeks of bankruptcy when MS invested $150 million which allowed Apple to consolidate their Mac business and put their cash flow into the iPod and iTunes products and the rest is history.
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*sigh*
MS just can't keep from fucking up, can they?
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No, the $150 million was part of a settlement resulting from Microsoft essentially stealing the source code for QuickTime for Windows and using it to make Microsoft's Video For Windows (at a time when Windows had no built-in video playback framework, and Apple embarrassed them by bringing QuickTime to Windows before MS had their own video framework). Apple had caught Microsoft red-handed, so the settlement was for Microsoft to buy $150 million in non-voting stock and port Internet Explorer and MS Office to
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No doubt. If Apple had folded then MS would have really looked like a monopoly.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Specifically product trying (Act Section 3, codified at 15 U.S.C. 14).
You know what's odd? https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/14 [cornell.edu] The actual law makes no mention of tying in that section.
15 U.S. Code 14 - Sale, etc., on agreement not to use goods of competitor
It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, to lease or make a sale or contract for sale of goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities, whether patented or unpatented, for use, consumption, or resale within the United States or any Territory thereof or the District of Columbia or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States, or fix a price charged therefor, or discount from, or rebate upon, such price, on the condition, agreement, or understanding that the lessee or purchaser thereof shall not use or deal in the goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, supplies, or other commodities of a competitor or competitors of the lessor or seller, where the effect of such lease, sale, or contract for sale or such condition, agreement, or understanding may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce.
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Yeah, I heard that, too.
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Well, Apple might as well just shut up shop now. Random Internet guy is gonna stop buying their products. Apple better be quick to make a press release to try contain the near-irreparable damage that your post to Slashdot is going to do to their bottom-line and stock price.
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I've bought my last MacBook and iPhone. Nexus Android phones and laptops dual-boot Linux and Windows from now on, and Windows just for games and work. Sick of the walled garden, smugness and arrogance of Apple Computer.
So long, Tim Cook. It's been fun!
I love the general 'it works and the case is sound' aspect of my Apple computer along with the way I can bring up a bash shell and be productive with VIM, Python, GCC, sed, grep and all that other gunk.
I don't see a day when I won't have to work with all the major and some of the minor OSs all the time, but Unixyness, a stable UI and good hardware are a fine combination.
OK, that's enough (Score:1)
I'm done. Slashdot is an avenue of pure hate on anything other than what the editors approve. The Apple hate is pathetic.
This article was complete and utter garbage. No wonder their page ranking has dropped so much as they keep losing their audience.
I remember the good old days with Cmdr Taco. This would never have been tolerated.
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There is nothing so sweet as seeing an actual, "Goodbye, Cruel World" post in the wild.
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Yes, it's become depressing. It really puts perspective on things, though, doesn't it? Too much fucking perspective.
Touched a nerve? (Score:2)
I guess its all well and good to hate on everything, except your guys right?
Would You Take this from Ford, Chevy, or Chryler. (Score:1)
I am sorry, you can't show someone how to fix a car.
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Actually - Ford/Chevy/Chrysler do exactly the same thing Apple (may be) doing: they jealously guard the copyright on their official repair schematics. Car repair shops pay a LOT of money to get them... and they are regularly traded illegally online.
If someone had a Youtube channel where they were showing copyright infringing schematics of Ford/Chevy/Chrysler cars the way this guy did for Apple computer schematics... they would be ALL OVER IT trying to shut it down.
Apple doesn't care if you tell people how
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We ain't that far from this. Have you tried doing any kind of work on a recent model? Good luck, without the necessary software you MIGHT be able to change the oil, provided that's not somehow hardwired into the board computer yet to limit you to 30 mph "for your safety" 'til you go to an authorized dealer and pay him to convince it that the oil was indeed changed.
00:01 (Score:1)
Louis forgot to take his meds.
Louis Rossmann is a Ninja (Score:2)
Glad /. picked this up. The tone in his voice with the last video is familiar... because it was my own. FWIW, I emerged victorious from my own battle.
Copyright a physical diagram 1970s end-around (Score:2)
The idea to "copyright" the physical description of the device, and hence repair instructions, was a legal maneuver to end-run the warranty laws after Vance Packard's 1960 seminal expose "The Waste Makers" described efforts to insert parts that would fail and other "planned obsolescence" laws. By the 1990s, Hitachi was the only electronics manufacturer to allow its repair manuals to be issued online.
This is a major reason that used electronics get exported to countries where repair is common and $100 legal
Yo Dawg (Score:2)
I herd u like repairs...
No lawsuit (Score:2)
At least not at this time, see Louis' video update: there's no lawsuit, Apple & co *like* my channel??? [youtube.com]
"We'll continue to update the story" - Will you? (Score:1)
I wager we are more likely to see a dupe of this story than an update.