Biden Admin Seeks to Ease Repair of McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines

Federal agencies propose DMCA exemptions to allow third-party repairs, aiming to reduce costs and improve competition.

The Biden administration is seeking exemptions to antitrust laws to facilitate repairs of McDonald’s ice cream machines by allowing third-party and self-repairs.
Federal agencies argue that current restrictions limit competition and increase repair costs, with authorized repairs costing over $300 per 15 minutes.
McDonald’s franchise owners report losing up to $625 in daily sales due to broken ice cream machines, prompting a push for DMCA exemptions.
The FTC and DOJ's request for exemptions is part of a broader right-to-repair movement, aiming to promote competition and reduce repair costs.
A lawsuit by repair company Kytch against McDonald's highlights the ongoing struggle over the right to repair and the use of third-party devices.