McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines: A Potential Breakthrough in Repair
A Potential Game-Changer for McDonald’s Ice Cream Lovers
McDonald’s, often criticized for its seemingly perennially broken ice cream machines, may soon be able to fix the issue. The United States Copyright Office has granted a copyright exemption, allowing restaurants like McDonald’s to "repair" their machines by bypassing digital locks that prevent them from being fixed by anyone other than the manufacturer.
A Brief History of the Issue
The Taylor Company, which has been supplying McDonald’s with its milkshake machines since 1956, holds a copyright on its machines. This has meant that if one breaks, only the manufacturer’s repair people are legally allowed to fix it. This is due to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), a 1998 law that criminalizes making or using technology, devices, or services that circumvent the control access of copyrighted works.
The Solution: "McBroken" and Kytch
In 2020, a developer created the "McBroken" map, a website that uses data from the McDonald’s app to provide real-time updates on which McDonald’s ice cream machines are working. As of October 29, McBroken reports that 14.72% of McDonald’s stores are not currently selling ice cream. In 2018, an app called Kytch was created to help restaurant owners fix the glitches in the machines without having to call a technician. However, McDonald’s sent notices to franchisees warning them that the technology could lead to worker injuries, according to The New York Times.
The Exemption and Its Implications
The exemption granted by the United States Copyright Office went into effect on October 28 and was jointly petitioned for by repair-focused website iFixIt and advocacy group Public Knowledge. The exemption allows third parties to bypass digital locks on machines for repairs. While the full request wasn’t granted, retail-level commercial food preparation equipment received an exemption that will allow third parties to bypass digital locks on machines for repairs.
Industry Reaction and Expectations
Meredith Rose, senior policy counsel at Public Knowledge, said that the Copyright Office’s decision will lead to an "overdue shake-up of the commercial food prep industry." Rose believes that the exemption will spark a flurry of third-party repair activity and enable businesses to better serve their customers. However, Rose notes that it’s still illegal to sell or traffic in digital lockpicks that allow people to fix these machines.
Conclusion
The exemption granted by the United States Copyright Office marks a potential breakthrough in the perennial issue of broken McDonald’s ice cream machines. The change is expected to lead to an increase in third-party repair activity, enabling businesses to better serve their customers. However, the legal status of digital lockpicks remains uncertain, and it is unclear how the exemption will be implemented in practice.
FAQs
Q: What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)?
A: The DMCA is a 1998 law that criminalizes making or using technology, devices, or services that circumvent the control access of copyrighted works.
Q: What is the McBroken map?
A: The McBroken map is a website that uses data from the McDonald’s app to provide real-time updates on which McDonald’s ice cream machines are working.
Q: What is the Kytch app?
A: The Kytch app is a tool that helps restaurant owners fix the glitches in the machines without having to call a technician.
