McDonald's Gains Right to Repair Ice Cream Machines

The U.S. Copyright Office has granted McDonald's the 'right to repair' its notoriously malfunctioning ice cream machines, allowing third-party technicians to perform repairs by bypassing digital locks previously enforced by the manufacturer, Taylor Company. This change follows years of public frustration, as around 10-15% of McFlurry machines are reported to be out of order at any given time. Advocacy groups, including Public Knowledge and iFixIt, played significant roles in pushing for this exemption, which took effect on October 28. The decision is expected to lead to increased repair activity and improved customer service at McDonald's locations. While McDonald's has not yet commented publicly, the ruling represents a significant shift in the commercial food prep industry. The issue has also gained unexpected political relevance, with former President Trump joking about fixing the machines during his campaign.