They could help enable more 3P repair shops for these things ... this is hardware, patents/IP doesn't really matter when I can just open it up and look inside. Whats wrong/bad is bricking a product when you look under the hood.
That would be like a car manufacture blowing up your engine if you try to change your own oil and then only allowing you to go to the dealership to get it changed rather than offering the knowledge and ability to 3P oil change places.
OR...it would be like an electronic device with a label that says 'no user serviceable components inside, breaking the seal voids the warranty'
how many DECADES has that been happening?
is it a precedent?