I think it important to note the sentence immediately before that sticker sentence. My bold underline added, This "may be" is an important distinction because there are many scenarios where those stickers are perfectly and appropriately legal. For example, there are "no user serviceable parts" inside a computer power supply unit (PSU). That is, there is no battery that may need replacing, no empty RAM slots to add more memory, or no replaceable fuses. The user does not even need to open the case to blow out the dust. You may argue, what about replacing the fan? Nope! If the fan fails during the warranty period, the manufacturer is required to fix it. A critical point to remember with PSUs in particular is there are (when plugged in) DEADLY VOLTAGES inside. That is a critical variable in the equation that is applicable, in a unique way, to computer power supplies that is not applicable to any other component inside the computer case. This is because all other devices inside the case use low voltage DC, and not deadly mains AC voltage. Hard drives and SSDs have nothing inside their cases the user will ever need to access either. So stickers on those would be legal. As a technician and long time builder of custom PCs, the sentence that really got my attention is the one that says, in part, this (again, my bold underline added), There have been (and still are ) "shady and deceitful" PC builders who attached those stickers to PC cases just so they can deny responsibility for any repairs should something fail during the warranty period. I never attached those stickers to PC cases of any of our builds. IMO, they absolutely are illegal. Sadly, the dishonest actions of those deceitful builders often gave us legitimate and honest techs a bad reputation. Why not use those stickers on PC cases? Simple. Because my clients and all "PC" computer users in general absolutely have the right to add another drive, add more RAM, add or swap graphics cards without voiding any warranty. Not only that, users have the responsibility to keep the interior clean of heat trapping dust. How can they do any of that without opening the case? The ONLY way those stickers could be considered legal is if the builder provided all those services during the warranty period 100% free of charge. PCs are one thing because consumers have the ATX Form Factor standard. While it was not designed for consumer protection, it does provide some just by its nature. What consumers really need, IMO, is better protection laws from laptop and cell phone makers where user access is limited, as noted in that article, by restricting manufacturing and assembly techniques. BTW, this "Right to Repair" is similar in the automotive industry. Users have every right to change their own oil and oil filters (with equal or higher quality oil and filter) without voiding the warranty. In fact, regular oil changes are required. But they don't have to be done by the dealer!!! However, there are no "user serviceable" parts inside the engine block itself. So users will void the warranty if they disassemble the engine and break something. That can only be done by a mechanic authorized to do warranty work. Now if the user strips the threads where the oil filter screws on, that's on the user.
