Advocacy Grows for Mandatory Open-Sourcing of Abandoned Hardware Software

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As electronics manufacturers increasingly abandon support for functional hardware, a movement advocating for mandatory open-sourcing of device software is gaining momentum. Marciano Planque recently articulated a case for European Union intervention, arguing that when products reach end-of-life (EOL), companies should be legally required to release their software and protocols to the public. This proposal builds upon Right to Repair victories but targets a different failure point: proprietary software that intentionally bricks devices.

The urgency stems from tangible waste. Planque cites his own smart scale—fully operational hardware rendered useless because the companion app was discontinued. Though the scale displays weight locally, cloud-dependent features like multi-user tracking became inaccessible overnight. This mirrors Spotify's abrupt discontinuation of its Car Thing device in 2024, which transformed $200 hardware into e-waste without community recourse.

Unlike sweeping demands for full codebase disclosure, the proposal focuses on practicality. Companies would publish hardware specifications and communication protocols to GitHub, enabling third-party developers to build replacement software. With modern development tools lowering technical barriers, this creates opportunities for:

• Community-driven preservation projects
• Startups offering extended-life services
• Sustainable hardware repurposing ventures

Europe's regulatory environment makes it a likely battleground. The EU has previously forced standardized charging ports and established Right to Repair frameworks. Applying similar pressure to software abandonment aligns with circular economy goals while addressing a growing e-waste crisis—the world generated 59 million metric tons of e-waste in 2022, with under 20% recycled.

Critics note potential challenges: security vulnerabilities in legacy code, proprietary algorithm concerns, and corporate resistance. However, advocates counter that abandoned software already poses security risks through unpatched devices, while protocol-level disclosure avoids exposing proprietary algorithms. The business case is equally compelling—open protocols could create secondary markets for refurbished tech, benefiting manufacturers through component harvesting and CSR positioning.

As Planque observes, the alternative is untenable: 'Functional hardware becoming landfill because a company lost interest.' With regulatory momentum building, the coming years may see discarded gadgets transformed from waste into platforms for community innovation.