The U.S. government has taken a stand against the constant breakdowns of soft serve ice cream machines at fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s. In a recent letter to the U.S. Copyright Office, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust division called for exemptions for “commercial soft serve machines” from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which currently restricts franchise owners from doing their own repairs or hiring third-party technicians.
The FTC and DOJ argue that expanding repair-related exemptions would encourage competition in the market for replacement parts, repair, and maintenance services. They also point out the negative impact of soft serve equipment breakdowns, including a loss of sales amounting to $625 per day and long wait times for authorized repairs, which can cost over $300 per 15 minutes when performed by licensed technicians.
This move comes after the FTC initiated an investigation in response to complaints from consumers and McDonald’s franchise owners about the frequent breakdowns of soft serve machines. These breakdowns have led to financial losses for franchise owners who are unable to provide the popular treat to their customers.
In a separate incident in 2022, McDonald’s faced a $900 million lawsuit from an ice cream repair company. The company alleged that McDonald’s had banned franchise owners from using their product, which offered an easy fix for soft serve machines. The device would have allowed franchise owners to address digital issues with the machines remotely via Wi-Fi, rather than waiting for authorized repairs from Taylor, the exclusive manufacturer of McDonald’s ice cream machines. McDonald’s claimed that the device violated the machine’s warranty and could potentially cause harm to individuals.
Fox Business has reached out to McDonald’s and Taylor for comment on these recent developments.
It is clear that the U.S. government is taking action to address the ongoing issues with soft serve ice cream machines, which have been a source of frustration for franchise owners and customers alike. By advocating for exemptions from copyright restrictions, the government aims to promote competition, improve repair and maintenance services, and ultimately ensure that consumers can enjoy their favorite frozen treats without unnecessary delays or financial burdens caused by breakdowns.
