The Federal Trade Commission has made clear that it will continue to closely monitor companies that may have discouraged consumers from exercising their “right to repair” purchased products without violating the manufacturers’ warranties, regulatory attorneys said this week. 

The FTC this month sent warning letters to eight companies alerting them against indicating to consumers that they must use specified parts or certain service providers to maintain their warranties. But the agency’s letters were clearly directed to all consumer goods manufacturers, said Baker & Hostetler partner Daniel Kaufman.