In U.S.A., the Magnuson-Moss Consumer Protection Act (orig. 1976 IIRC, as
amended ;-) sets requirements for support and service, basically an
extension of anti-trust laws in some areas, e.g., Mfger must provide parts
or manuals and so on to independent repair outlets even if in competition
with them etc. for various periods of time (typically 7 years on
photo gear, electronics etc.) after last sale in interstate commerce...

Usual workaround is to require a prohibitively large minimum order so only
bonafide repair shops will invest in manuals and repair parts etc. ;-)

hth bobm
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* Robert Monaghan POB 752182 Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas Tx 75275 *
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