Apple and a DIY repair YouTuber


Louis Rossmann creates video guides on repairing electronics, with a lot of videos for Apple's gear. His guides are great and often are critical if not caustic towards designs where its difficult to repair components rather than replace.

Rossmann apparently received a call from a firm representing Apple regarding his work. Perhaps specifically unauthorized use and distribution of proprietary Apple repair schematics. The videos are confusing and rambling, but appear to be reactions to receiving attention from Apple and things he knows of and/or heard of happening with other unauthorized repairer. (quote via MacKungFu)

Right now I'm not getting sued... I was contacted by Kilpatrick and Townsend [actually Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP], which is an intellectual property law firm that represents Apple, and they did have some stuff to say about some of the content I put on YouTube. ...

I didn't do a good job of expressing what exactly what was going on. I did a pretty piss-poor job of expressing what was going on , and I'm sorry for that. ...

There was an issue with some video with the schematic - not surprised there - and they said they're a fan of the channel. And you have to understand how I'm still kind of digesting that, and bringing myself to a point where I can believe that to be true ...

I did not know if they had a small issue with my channel, or a big issue with my channel, and to be honest with you I still don't know what it is. And because it's Independence Day weekend I'm not going to know until next week, and that sucks. ...

From everything my attorney told me, they're actually very friendly people who were reaching out for some friendly reason. I still don't know all the details.

Apple has always put a low priority on allowing users to work on products. Things have been getting tighter as Apple tries to continuously shrink designs and reduce component costs. The issue, however, is (like most of the industry) Apple's repair processes are to replace rather than repair components. This can significantly increase costs. Small repair shops or DIY repair enthusiasts can do it much cheaper on a small scale. Apple also has built and supports an extensive service/repair network with its retail stores and authorized resellers. A cynical view is Apple intentionally drives high repair costs, however, if Apple were to extend its support beyond its network wouldn't be without cost.

The other wrinkles are Apple doesn't make components available outside of its network. Also, Apple is concerned over security as it increasingly builds security features into its device's hardware, such as with Touch ID and Secure Enclave. It's consistent for Apple to crack down on unauthorized modifications that may compromise safety or security. In a software update earlier this year, Apple disabled devices that had TouchID disabled, for example.