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Pardon the circlejerk interruption, and believe me I hate BMW just as much as the next person, but this is just a patent application. Like, if you realize your logo has the potential to be a screw head, why would you not patent it to prevent others from using the design.
It’s not made it into any cars, and so far as I’ve seen there are no plans. Even if it does I’d think it’d only be used in some customer-facing application; interior maybe, or decorative attachments in the engine like valve covers etc. Slightly asshole that you’d need a different tool, but not exactly the end of the world unless they actively prevented the tool from being made.
My two cents
Patenting things you don’t have intention of actually doing, “just in case”, is just shit tbh.
Used to be called patent trolling, but now that all the big corporations that own the politicians deciding patent law are doing it, it’s considered “prudent business practice”
IBM alone files more patents that they’ll never use (except for lawsuits in case someone else does something useful with something similar) in a year than most companies file IN TOTAL for several decades.
It can prevent others from doing it, which can be a net good.
How? In this specific case it’s about brand identity, so I don’t think anyone else would make BMW-shaped screws. But in general, how is “I had this idea, I don’t want to make it, but want to stop others from making it” good?
how is “I had this idea, I don’t want to make it, but want to stop others from making it” good?
It isn’t under ANY circumstances and to think so without being the patent trolling asshole yourself is some Stockholm syndrome level simping for the overlords.
They will have the patent on the corresponding driver for the screw, and i doubt they will allow third party shops to purchase the drivers for anything resembling a reasonable price. Meaning that you will be forced to take the car to a BMW authorized mechanic. It’s taking away the consumer’s right to repair.
It’s all conjecture at this point. The patent alone on the screw head I understand, because companies are obligated to protect their logo.
Naivete manifested in comment form.
Not to mention the odds of it having a better torque rating then any standard screw is low.
You would need a dedicated factory to build these at great expense for fancy looking screw heads.
the alleged application was critical fasteners that people shouldn’t be working with, like frame connections
of course, this is bullshit, because it’s been fine for the past half century, so why wouldn’t it be now?
You know, I think one can drill out a bit in the centre and it’ll work with a flathead.
Not that I’d buy a bmw, or a car for that matter.
Capitalism breeds innovation to make more and more profit sometimes that accidentally benefits people but rarely.
Nerd talk: (putting aside the ethics of the article), would that be a good or bad screw design compared to screws we currently have available?
Manufacturing the screwdriver/bit would be super easy, one pass with a flat bottom cutter to remove each quarter from the end.
The two remaining quarters of the bit being separated could maybe be more of a problem than if they were joined together.
You would get the same contact area as a flathead screw, but with only half the material behind it. But the bit would set so much better than a flathead and would not slide around.
I’m curious how something like this would compare to a hex or star screw. I would imagine a little bit worse, but the potentially easier manufacturing might make up for it.
Flathead is superior save for torx in small head situations.
only benefits of flathead screws are:
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ezpz to make if you have to make a custom screw
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when you strip a (better headed) screw, you can just cut a single channel and you’re ready to try again
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i guess maybe they’re cheaper? idk i really think it’s just the two things
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People who buy BMW’s aren’t doing their own repairs most of the time anyway because they suck at it.
There’s the illusion that capitalism breeds innovation but ultimately it’s just that the only gatekeeper to innovation in a Capitalist society is money while in all the attempted socialist societies, workers can be locked out of attempting innovation by party committees.
One reason Anarchy is superior.
I mean that shape looks like it’ll turn into a $2 part on Amazon. It looks like it’s more for appearances than anything else
Just as a side note: According to the patent application, BMW plans to use this special screw for parts of the vehicle that are not for regular service, e.g. airbags and seat mountings.
Examples include seat attachment points and joints between the cockpit and the load-bearing structure of the body.
These are IMO not the kind of screws you need to use to carry out regular maintainance or repair tasks.
Free markets breed innovation, not capitalism. Different things.
Which companies avowedly still support right to repair?
I only want to buy from those.
I think steam does 🤔
They do free software now? I thought their software was proprietary. Bad sign for right to repair hardware if not even having right to repair software. And their software facilitates many other proprietary softwares, is my understanding.
I asked an LLM which computer companies do… and it gave some dodgy answers (admittedly caveated). For example, I know Lenovo are increasingly locking up their thinkpads, preventing right to repair. So take this list with a pinch of scrutiny:
Here are some companies that sell computers with Linux pre-installed and actively support the right to repair:
LaptopWithLinux
Offers laptops with Linux pre-installed and emphasizes the Right to Repair, making replacement parts available for up to five years after release. Customers can also purchase their own RAM and SSD for easy assembly and customization. The warranty remains valid even if you open the laptop yourself laptopwithlinux.com.
System76
Known for its Linux-focused laptops and desktops, System76 designs its hardware to be easily repairable and upgradeable. They provide lifetime support and free shipping for repairs during the warranty period techradar.com.
TUXEDO Computers
Manufactures Linux laptops and desktops in Germany, offering a 5-year guarantee and lifetime support. Their hardware is designed for easy maintenance and upgrades itsfoss.com.
Framework
While not exclusively Linux-focused, Framework is renowned for its modular, user-repairable laptops. They offer Linux compatibility and support, and their design philosophy aligns strongly with the right to repair movement reddit.com.
ThinkPenguin
Specializes in computers pre-installed with fully free GNU/Linux distributions and is committed to software freedom and user control. Their products are designed to be repairable and upgradeable linuxpreloaded.com+1.
Dell and Lenovo
Both companies occasionally sell laptops and workstations with Ubuntu pre-installed, though their commitment to right to repair varies by model. Some lines, like Dell’s XPS Developer Edition, are popular among Linux users linuxpreloaded.com+1.
Juno Computers
Offers a simple lineup of computers shipped with Ubuntu, with branches in the US and UK linuxpreloaded.com.
Purism (Librem)
Focuses on privacy and freedom, offering laptops with Linux pre-installed and a strong emphasis on user control and repairability cyberciti.biz.
Slimbook
A Spanish vendor shipping notebooks with pre-installed Linux, known for supporting user freedom and repairability cyberciti.biz.
These companies are recognized for their commitment to both Linux and the right to repair, making them strong choices for users who value openness, customization, and sustainability. Would you like more details on any specific brand or model?
I was thinking about the steam deck which runs linux out of box, is designed repairable and even replacement parts are available.
Ahh, and Lenovo has option to ship with fedora, not ubuntu, last I checked.
Oh. Well, that’s better than I presumed.
Steam itself’s still proprietary though, right?
… Oh, yeah, and then some. Way short of the 4 freedoms of Free Software’s philosophy. Steam’s https://partner.steamgames.com/steamdirect & https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ makes quite a contrasting read to Free Software licenses (e.g. WTFPL or GNU GPL 2).
Reminds of when I compared Microsoft’s various licenses and end user agreements to the GNU GPL version 1, when I was switching to GNU+Linux and Free Software over 20 years ago.
A search for the word “change” in the Steam subscriber agreement reveals “deal with the devil” clauses, where they can change the agreement after you agree.
it is innovation. corporations find innovative way to screw the customer and possibly extract rent from them
