Nissan cutting their DIY owners off at the knees

[Zed Head]

Here's a bummer.  Nissan NA is trying to drive owners of old Nissans to the dealerships, by cutting off access to service documents.  Greedy, ignorant, fools (Nissan NA, not us).

Edit - I posted the wrong link.  I was trying to find a service manual for someone and came across Nicoclub's announcement.  Here's the correct link.

http://nicoclub.com/nissan-service-manuals

Edited April 10, 2018 by Zed Head

[psdenno]

The bottom line is that nicoclub posted Nissan's intellectual property (factory manuals) and offered free access.  That violates copyright laws.  Nissan isn't the bad guy in this.  

I've managed a Porsche club for years and know that I have to get permission from Porsche for things I post - factory photos, illustrations from manuals, even the word Porsche on a web site URL.  Generally manufacturers and publications will give permission to print excerpts.  They do take exception when it comes to copying and giving away an entire publication that cost thousands of dollars to create and still has the ability to generate revenue to the copyright owner.

Having once received a " STOP" letter from a photographer as the result of reprinting a vintage advertisement in a club newsletter and another time receiving a "Here's what Hell we can rain down on you" letter from Porsche's US legal firm, I can say that I totally understand where Nissan is coming from and how right they are.

Dennis

[rturbo 930]

Sucks, but not exactly "trying to drive owners of old Nissans to the dealerships, by cutting off access to service documents." More accurately, trying to get people to pay for them like they're supposed to be doing to begin with. I don't like spending money if I don't have to, but if you get caught in a situation like this, you can't really play victim.

[Zed Head]

I went a little overboard.  But the manuals have been out there for many many years.  And they don't really make much money from them.  They're probably hurting themselves more than the consumer.  Nicoclub is like a fan club for Nissan owners.  Not a good PR move.

So, my comment about "driving people to the dealership" is probably wrong.  What they really want is for people to buy new cars because their old ones break down and are too expensive to fix.  

Big picture wise, it's a petty move that pisses people off.  They do sell the manuals on CD.  But apparently, even though you've paid for it, you still have to watch ads.  How crazy is that?  It's like cable TV.

https://www.courtesyparts.com/factory-service-manuals/factory-service-manual-and-parts-microfiche-cd-rom-1994-300zx/cdz3294?parent=1221

 

[rturbo 930]

Ads on a service manual? Are you F'n kidding me?! Hard copy is better anyway, ads or no ads.

I do agree that it's a stupid move though. Not sure how much money there is to gain or lose for Nissan, but these are old cars now. IMO this is a case of "just because you can doesn't mean you should."

[Zed Head]

Funny, I just realized that I copied the link for a 300ZX.  I had searched for a 1995 Pathfinder and only saw the year, not the car.  Just redid it and searched for a 1997 Pathfinder.  All that comes up is 300ZX's.  So, the 1997 Pathfinder FSM is not available, from anywhere anymore.  

So, they really did cut people off.  Cold.

[psdenno]

8 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

So, the 1997 Pathfinder FSM is not available, from anywhere anymore.  

Well, not exactly.  A Google search turned up bunches of paper copies as well as downloads.  Here's one to get before Nissan slams them shut.

https://diyservicemanuals.com/nissan-pathfinder-service-repair-manuals/

Dennis

[Zed Head]

 Of course.  There's always an exception.

[psdenno]

I'm guessing that if Nissan went after nicoclub, they'll also be sending cease & desist notices to all the other download sites one by one.  Download them while you can!

Dennis