Nvm, it turns out SawStop has agreed to open their patent up to the rest of the industry royalty free should such a law ever be passed.

https://www.sawstop.com/news/sawstop-to-dedicate-key-u-s-patent-to-the-public-upon-the-effective-date-of-a-rule-requiring-safety-technology-on-all-table-saws/

The real issue with the law is SawStop holds an exclusive patent on the concept of power tools detecting fingers and automatically stopping. They have enforced their IP right ruthlessly and as such hold a monopoly that allows them to charge a $900 premium.

So I guess the problem is the US government mandating the technology without first seizing the patent and opening it up to competitors. It would be like the US government mandating airbags or seatbelts without the patent holders opening the IP up to the entire industry. Iirc Volvo holds most of the patents for a lot of automotive safety technologies but has always allowed the rest of the industry to use the tech royalty free in order to promote industry wide adoption.

More than this, the tech will become an open standard on the effective date of the mandate, meaning anyone can manufacture them for free. The current cost vector is just licensing, your new saw will be safe and still like $500.

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