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On July 3, 2024, Federal Trade Commission staff sent warning letters to ASRock, Zotac and Gigabyte over warranty language involving stickers or similar terms that could deter consumers from routine maintenance and repair. The letters raised staff concerns under federal consumer-protection law; they were not court rulings that the companies had violated the law.
What the FTC warned the companies about
The FTC announced letters to eight companies on July 3, 2024. Five letters addressed warranty statements tying coverage to specified parts or service providers. The other three—sent to ZOTAC USA Inc., ASRock Inc. and G.B.T. Inc. (Gigabyte)—concerned “warranty void if removed” or similar sticker language placed where it could impede routine maintenance or repair. The FTC described the recipients as sellers of gaming PCs, graphics chips, motherboards and accessories. FTC announcement · FTC warning-letter index
ZOTAC
In its letter to ZOTAC, FTC staff quoted warranty language stating that claims would be void if a user “tampers, defaces, or removes any stickers indicating void warranty if broken.” Staff said it was also concerned about similar representations or an actual denial of coverage based on that provision. FTC letter to ZOTAC
ASRock
The ASRock letter quoted language saying coverage would be null and void if products were modified, damaged or otherwise tampered with. Examples included opening the outer case and installing or removing optional components. Staff said it had concerns about those representations. This is not the same quoted sticker provision found in the ZOTAC letter. FTC letter to ASRock
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Gigabyte
The FTC’s announcement and index identify G.B.T. Inc. as the Gigabyte-related recipient. The available materials establish that its letter concerned “warranty void if removed” or similar sticker language, but they do not provide a basis here to quote additional Gigabyte-specific warranty wording as current policy. FTC warning-letter index
What a warning letter does—and does not—mean
These were FTC staff compliance warnings, not a court judgment or a settled finding of liability. The agency said it would review company websites after 30 days and reserved the ability to pursue law-enforcement remedies. The cited sources do not establish what happened after that review period or whether the FTC later brought a case against these three companies. FTC announcement · ZOTAC letter · ASRock letter
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Announcing the warnings, Samuel Levine, then director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said: “These warning letters put companies on notice that restricting consumers’ right to repair violates the law.” That was Levine’s statement about the staff action, not a judicial holding. FTC staff blog
What federal warranty law says about repairs
The ZOTAC letter explains the FTC’s concern under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act. In general, for a consumer product costing more than $5, a warrantor cannot condition written-warranty coverage on the consumer using a particular branded article or service unless the warrantor provides that item or service for free or obtains an FTC waiver. The letter also warns that language that reasonably implies such a condition may be deceptive. FTC letter to ZOTAC
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This rule does not mean every repair-related claim must be covered. Removing a sticker or using an independent repairer is not, by itself, proof that the consumer caused damage; a company may still rely on applicable warranty terms and facts such as damage, misuse or improper installation. The FTC’s consumer guidance explains the general warranty framework. FTC consumer warranty guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What ZOTAC’s current US policy says
ZOTAC’s US warranty page currently states: “Important note: ‘Warranty void if removed’ stickers are not valid in the USA, regardless of when the product was purchased.” The page was checked October 4, 2026. It separately lists circumstances that may affect coverage, including certain tampering, misuse, improper installation, damage and alteration. The sticker statement is specific to the US page and does not amount to a blanket promise that every user repair will be covered. ZOTAC US product warranty policy
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The sources cited here do not establish the corresponding current policy wording for ASRock or Gigabyte. Their 2024 letters should be treated as evidence of language reviewed by FTC staff then, not as proof of what either company’s warranty page says today.
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What to do if a warranty claim is denied
- Check the warranty for your exact product and region. Save a copy of the terms and note any exclusions that the company cites.
- Keep the evidence. Retain your receipt, photos of the product and any sticker, repair records, and written communications with the manufacturer or seller.
- Ask for the reason in writing. If the denial points only to a removed sticker or independent service, ask the company to identify the specific warranty term and explain how the repair caused any claimed damage.
- Escalate a disputed claim appropriately. The FTC’s letters are not a decision in an individual dispute. Consider consumer-protection resources or legal advice for your jurisdiction and circumstances.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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