Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
GENERAL TERMS
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that protects a consumer’s product warranty. Passed by Congress in 1975; the Act stipulates that manufacturers and sellers of consumer products are required to provide consumers with detailed information about the products warranty coverage.
As a trusted name in the industry, Centon products are reliable components that you can feel confident about being installed in your computer systems. From time to time, Centon has heard that computer companies and resellers have told consumers that if the company was to choose to purchase and install third-party memory solutions, the system manufacturer’s warranty would be voided. This type of information is not only untrue, but is misleading in nature. Provided that the components are compatible with the system and are installed in a proper manner, there is no reason that a consumer cannot purchase and install third-party components into their computer system.
From a legal standpoint, this type of sales-tactic is referred to as a "tie-in sales provision." In general, such provisions are illegal. Per section 102(c) of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 (15 United States Code section 2302(c)) these types of sales tactics are prohibited in the consumer market. Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act (15 United States Code sections 1 and 2) states that these types of activities can be considered violations in the workstation and server channels as well.
The bottom line is that these types of sales ploys are intended to mislead and intimidate the consumer. The retailer is trying to use lack of consumer knowledge to their advantage and inevitably pressure the consumer into spending more than they should for memory upgrades. Companies and individuals that are caught violating these antitrust laws will be subjected to a wide range of sanctions.
