Please note that all submissions to the site are subject to the wiki's licence, CC 4.0 BY-SA, as found here

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act: Difference between revisions

From Consumer Action Taskforce
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m Fixed a period.
m Some copy editing
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
TODO: Would like someone to look over [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-50 the law's text]and give a more robust summary; until then the summary is from [[wikipedia:Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act|Wikipedia]].
TODO: Would like someone to look over [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-50 the law's text]and give a more robust summary; until then the summary is from [[wikipedia:Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act|Wikipedia]].


== Summary ==
==Summary==
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a piece of federal law enacted in the United States. The law sets some of the rules that manufacturers must follow when giving warranties, if they choose to provide one. Some of the rules are ('''may not be legally valid; consult legal experts for specifics'''):
The '''[[wikipedia:Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act|Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]''' is a federal law enacted in the United States. The law sets some of the rules that manufacturers must follow when giving warranties, if they choose to provide one. Some of the rules are ('''may not be legally valid; consult legal experts for specifics'''):


* Warranties must be specified in clear language.
*Warranties must be specified in clear language.
* It is prohibited to require only "branded parts" as a requirement for a warranty.
*It is prohibited to require only "branded parts" as a requirement for a warranty.
* There are additional requirements imposed upon manufacturers if they choose to advertise a "full warranty."
*There are additional requirements imposed upon manufacturers if they choose to advertise a "full warranty."


In cases of violation, consumers are encouraged to negotiate with warrantors under arbitration. Additionally, the federal government and consumers are able to file civil suits in the courts.
In cases of violation, consumers are encouraged to negotiate with warrantors under arbitration. Additionally, the federal government and consumers are able to file civil suits in the courts.


== History of Enforcement ==
==History of Enforcement==
The Act is an important piece of legislation, but the enforcement is a mixed bag. Although it is enforced, often the fines are low to nothing, and this causes manufacturers to disregard it. It is encouraged for legislators and the Federal Trade Commission to more strictly enforce the Act and hold vendors accountable.
The act is an important piece of legislation, but its enforcement is a mixed bag. Although it is enforced, often the fines are little to nothing, which encourages manufacturers to disregard it. This effectively prevents the act from properly keeping vendors accountable.

Latest revision as of 13:41, 22 January 2025

TODO: Would like someone to look over the law's textand give a more robust summary; until then the summary is from Wikipedia.

Summary[edit | edit source]

The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act is a federal law enacted in the United States. The law sets some of the rules that manufacturers must follow when giving warranties, if they choose to provide one. Some of the rules are (may not be legally valid; consult legal experts for specifics):

  • Warranties must be specified in clear language.
  • It is prohibited to require only "branded parts" as a requirement for a warranty.
  • There are additional requirements imposed upon manufacturers if they choose to advertise a "full warranty."

In cases of violation, consumers are encouraged to negotiate with warrantors under arbitration. Additionally, the federal government and consumers are able to file civil suits in the courts.

History of Enforcement[edit | edit source]

The act is an important piece of legislation, but its enforcement is a mixed bag. Although it is enforced, often the fines are little to nothing, which encourages manufacturers to disregard it. This effectively prevents the act from properly keeping vendors accountable.