Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for giving us your time and expertise today.
We heard from Mr. Hanvey that owners, not manufacturers, must be the owners of their own data. We heard from Mr. Dickison that owners must be able to circumvent TPMs to effect repairs, not modifications, where and how they choose. It's literally the right to repair. Mr. Hatfield had some powerful language about protecting the rights of consumers over the profit of corporations. I agree with each of these propositions.
I did disagree with one of the amendments proposed by Ms. Lovrics, which seemed to want to shift the burden of proof from the owner when it comes to circumventing a TPM. I believe the burden really should be with the manufacturer to show why and when the TPM should not be circumvented.
In other words, the sovereignty of individual must always come before the sovereignty of the body corporate. That's where we need to get to with this bill. We want to get the bill to a place that achieves those things.
Mr. Hanvey and Mr. Lawford, how can we ensure that TPM circumventions ensure the right to repair, but protect against potentially dangerous modifications? What do we need to change in this bill to achieve that?
Mr. Lawford, you're in the room. Would you like to go ahead?