KRACK, ROCA, and device insecurity

I don't know for certain.

My guess is if you talking about a yearly licence for software like say Microsoft Office, it doesn't apply. If you are talking free software it doesn't apply because the expectation of quantity is determined by the price (a $2000 monitor is expected to last longer than a $200 one) [0] . But f you talking about manufacturer selling you a router, then claiming the router isn't covered by this provision because you don't own the software or the software inside is open source - I'd say they don't have a hope.

This isn't as radical as it sounds. For example, Dell just contacted me to say they are replacing the battery in my laptop because it may have a manufacturing defect. Car manufacturers regularly do out of warranty recalls. Yubico is replacing the broken Yubikey 4's. In other words: companies that care about their reputation do this without prodding. The difference in Australian is all companies have to behave like they plan to be in business in 10 years time.

It does change your perspective. It obviously doesn't apply when say you purchase on ebay from an overseas seller who is beyond the reach of Australian law. Back in the day, it used to be fashionable to brag about the great deals you got that way. (Australians can get things cheaply doing that because Asia is on our doorstep). But the wheel has turned - most people who buy online regularly have been bitten by overseas sellers and now "Australian Seller, with an Australian Business Number" can now can happily command a price premium. You know it will do what it says on the box, and if it is at the upper end of the price range it will be at the upper and of the quality spectrum too. Simple assurances like this really does help in making commerce frictionless.

[0] http://www.news.com.au/finance/e806700959101b117f16d7c265...