The situation is a heavy machinery example of something that happens across most categories of electronics, from phones, laptops, health devices, and wearables to tractors and, apparently, trains. In this case, NEWAG, the manufacturer of the Impuls family of trains, put code in the train’s control systems that prevented them from running if a GPS tracker detected that it spent a certain number of days in an independent repair company’s maintenance center, and also prevented it from running if certain components had been replaced without a manufacturer-approved serial number.
The problem was so bad that an infrastructure trade publication in Poland called Rynek Kolejowy picked up on the mysterious issues over the summer, and said that the lack of working trains was beginning to impact service: “Four vehicles after level P3-2 repair cannot be started. At this moment, it is not known what caused the failure. The lack of units is a serious problem for the carrier and passengers, because shorter trains are sent on routes.”
Very good article, I'd recommend reading it. I hope the court rules against NEWAG and sets a precedent for right to repair.
Modifying the software of a device YOU OWN, should never be illegal in and of itself.
Absolutely. Maybe an exception for video game multiplayer cheating, but that's the only thing I can think of. Any other situation I can think of just enriches the computer to the massive detriment of the user.
Force modified clients in a seperate lobby. Mods can be fun and extend shelflife of games immensly.
And allow selfhosting servers for (at least after) when the publisher/developer stops supporting the game.
abandoned software should be public domain, including server code and the tools for maintaining and updating it.
really the workers should own the means of production and all that stuff should be public from hello world, but we're talking about some transitional steps i guess.
I agree and I wish, I think the tricky part would be defining the criteria to what constitutes "abandomware". Is it the stop of the sale? The shutdown of the attestation servers, the shutdown of the multiplayer servers (and in that case what about single player games)? I can only imagine the creativity of publishers pretending their game is not abandonware yet it practically being so.
"Our 15 year old game has a single password protected server running that an employee connects to a few times a year so technically it's not abandoned and we don't have to make the code public domain, checkmate"
yeah it's a little tricky to put that sentiment into law... and to some extent we wouldn't need to if copyright law wasn't just disney's regulatory capture.
Is multiplayer cheating illegal? They have the right to kick you off their servers, but I'd be surprised if it's a criminal offense or anyone has ever had a case brought against them.
i'd be ok with videogame cheaters being executed by the state
Yeah I don't think it is. I was just trying to think of edge cases.
cheating is a problem but, actually making it illegal? nah man, I think that's too far.
It's ridiculous, not only the manufacturers egregious behavior, but also the fact that there is software required to operate a vehicle without a mechanical override. If and when I am forced to own a car with such technology my first move will be to disconnect the entire module and install a proper starting and control system.
Man, just go back to normal trains and now computers with attached trains. Can't hack or remotely kill what doesn't have a computer in it.
I hope this NEWAG gets raked over the coals for this.
It's outrageous to hold public infrastructure at ransom because the equipment spent X days in an independent repair shop - and pretty invasive to have DRM monitoring the train's GPS location, and in some cases live reporting these back to the manufacturer to facilitate a remote lockdown.
Not to mention pushing an update to flag up a copyright warning on a screen in the drivers' cab while the train is running 🤦♂️
I commend the engineer at the independent repair facility that had the idea to have hackers pick apart the train's control unit, and the rest of the team for agreeing to it.
