Religion and Ethics and Health BBS

Religion and Ethics and Health BBS
[ Religion and Ethics and Health BBS ]

Did BMW recently patent a new way to screw their customers?

Posted by Ken C on December 26, 2025, 4:57 am

Google AI Overview:
Yes, BMW has recently filed a patent for a new, proprietary screw head shaped like its iconic roundel logo. Critics argue this is a tactic to restrict independent and do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs, effectively "screwing" customers by forcing them to use authorized dealerships for service.

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/12/bmw-just-designed-a-screw-that-locks-you-out-of-your-own-repairs/

https://carbuzz.com/bmw-roundel-logo-screw-patent/

John Deere has been screwing their customers for years

Posted by BornToFarm on December 26, 2025, 1:40 pm, in reply to "Did BMW recently patent a new way to screw their customers?"

In order to work on their farm tractor, a JD technician must hook up their computer to the tractor to fix it.

You can't even change a hydraulic pump or outlet without telling the main tractor computer.

Apple introduced the Pentalobe screw in 2009 to deter unauthorized repairs.

Posted by Ken C on December 26, 2025, 5:22 am, in reply to "Did BMW recently patent a new way to screw their customers?"

https://www.ifixit.com/News/14279/apples-diabolical-plan-to-screw-your-iphone

"Apple is switching to a new type of tamper-resistant screw. This is not a standard Torx, and there are no readily available screwdrivers that can remove it. This isn’t the first time they’ve used this type of screw—it first appeared in the mid-2009 MacBook Pro to prevent you from replacing the battery—and Apple is using a similar screw on the outer case of the current MacBook Air. This screw is the primary reason the 11″ MacBook Air earned a lousy repairability score of 4 out of 10 in our teardown last October.

Apple chose this fastener specifically because it was new, guaranteeing repair tools would be both rare and expensive."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentalobe_screw

The pentalobe security screw is a five-pointed tamper-resistant system used by Apple. Pentalobe screws were adopted by Apple starting in 2009. Apple attracted criticism upon the introduction of the pentalobe screw; it was seen by some as an attempt to lock individuals out of their devices. In response, inexpensive pentalobe screwdrivers, manufactured by third parties, have become relatively easy to obtain.

We need some standardization laws for standard parts & tools.

Posted by DFM on December 26, 2025, 12:54 pm, in reply to "Apple introduced the Pentalobe screw in 2009 to deter unauthorized repairs. "

I prefer free markets and public criticism of greedy companies.

Posted by Ken C on December 27, 2025, 11:56 am, in reply to "We need some standardization laws for standard parts & tools."

If more people would boycott companies like that, we would not need standardization laws.

Screw them. Shop elsewhere.

Posted by GOG on December 26, 2025, 6:49 am, in reply to "Apple introduced the Pentalobe screw in 2009 to deter unauthorized repairs. "

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