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<section article="gcl" article_name="Commercial Law" number="14-5001" title_number="14" title_name="Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions" subtitle_number="50" subtitle_name="Powered Wheelchairs Repair">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Authorized repair provider” means a person that is unaffiliated with a manufacturer and, for the purpose of offering to provide services to an owner of the manufacturer’s equipment regarding the owner’s equipment or part, has:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>An arrangement with the manufacturer under which the manufacturer grants to the person a license to use a trade name, a service mark, or any other proprietary identifier; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Authorization under another arrangement to act on behalf of the manufacturer.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Authorized repair provider” includes a manufacturer when the manufacturer:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Offers to provide services to an owner of the manufacturer’s equipment regarding the owner’s equipment or part; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Does not have any arrangement described in paragraph (1) of this subsection with an unaffiliated person.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>“Documentation” means any manual, diagram, reporting output, service code description, schematic, or other information, whether in electronic or tangible format, that a manufacturer provides to an authorized repair provider for the purpose of assisting the authorized repair provider with services performed on the manufacturer’s equipment or part.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Embedded software” means programmable instructions provided on firmware delivered with an electronic component of equipment or a part to restore or improve operation of the equipment or part.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Embedded software” includes all relevant patches and fixes that the manufacturer makes to equipment or a part to restore or improve the equipment or part.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>“Equipment” means a powered wheelchair.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>“Fair and reasonable terms and costs” means:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>With respect to obtaining from a manufacturer any documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools in order to provide services:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Terms that are equivalent to the most favorable terms the manufacturer offers to an authorized repair provider; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Costs that do not exceed the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, calculated using net costs incurred and accounting for any discounts, rebates, or incentives offered;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>With respect to obtaining from a manufacturer any documentation to provide services, terms and costs on which the manufacturer agrees to provide the documentation and any relevant updates at no charge other than, at most, a charge for the manufacturer’s actual costs to prepare and send the printed copy of the documentation; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>With respect to obtaining from a manufacturer tools that are software programs, terms and costs on which the manufacturer agrees to provide the tools:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>At no charge and without requiring authorization or Internet access, or imposing impediments to access or use the tools;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>During the course of performing a diagnosis, maintenance, or a repair and in a manner that enables full functionality of the equipment or part; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>In a manner that does not impair the efficient and cost–effective performance of the equipment or part.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>“Firmware” means a software program or set of instructions programmed on equipment or a part to allow the equipment or part to communicate with itself or with other computer hardware.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Independent repair provider” means a person in the State that is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, neither a manufacturer’s authorized repair provider nor affiliated with a manufacturer’s authorized repair provider; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Engaged in offering or providing services.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Independent repair provider” includes:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>An authorized repair provider if the authorized repair provider is offering or providing services for a different manufacturer other than the manufacturer with whom the authorized repair provider has an arrangement as described in subsection (b)(1) of this section; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A manufacturer that offers or provides services for another manufacturer’s equipment or part.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="i">
    <text>“Manufacturer” means a person doing business in the State and engaged in the business of selling, leasing, or supplying new equipment or parts manufactured by or on behalf of itself to any individual, business, or other entity.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="j">
    <text>“Owner” means a person that owns equipment or an agent of the owner.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="k">
    <text>“Part” means a new or used replacement component for equipment that a manufacturer offers for sale or makes available for the purpose of providing services.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="l">
    <text>“Powered wheelchair” means a motorized wheeled device designed for use by a person with a physical disability.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="m">
    <text>“Services” means diagnostics, maintenance, or repairs performed on equipment or parts.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="n">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Tool” means any software program, hardware implement, or other apparatus used for diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of equipment or parts.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Tool” includes software or other mechanisms that provide, program, or pair a new part, calibrate functionality, or perform any other function required to return the equipment or part to fully functional condition.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="o">
    <text>“Trade secret” has the meaning stated in § 11–1201 of this article.</text>
  </level>
</section>
