Shock for those who say they can fix the car themselves: BMW blocks ‘screws with logo’

Automotive giant BMW has applied for a new patent that is of great concern to vehicle owners and mechanics. The company is working on a “screw with logo” design that is impossible to open with standard tools and can only be intervened in authorized services. According to documents appearing in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database, BMW is working on a special screw head design that reflects its own logo. In the diagrams in the patent documents, it is stated that it is impossible to loosen or tighten these screws with standard screwdrivers or wrenches. ONLY AUTHORIZED SERVICES WILL BE OPEN. To perform the operation, special equipment is needed, which is available at BMW authorized services or provided only by partner brands. The statements in the documents clearly reveal that the recesses in the screw heads prevent the use of common tools. In other words, vehicle owners may be confined to authorized services for even the simplest repairs. BMW’S EXCUSE: SECURITYAccording to the logic of the German manufacturer, the special screw head design provides a high level of protection against unauthorized interventions. The company states that the screws will be used to fix components such as consoles and seats, but they can also be preferred in other parts. RIGHT TO REPAIR DEFENDERS ARE CONCERNEDBMW’s vision of allowing access only with approved tools seems like a right step in terms of security, but it fuels the “right to repair” debate. Brands such as Nissan and Skoda were previously criticized for restricting access to spare parts. On the other hand, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considers part restrictions as a violation of rights, indicating that BMW’s patent may face legal obstacles in the future.

Automobile Magazine – English