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Andre0512
Project shutdown : can we help?
Hi! I'm thinking that we can help the the project to survive and help us to maintain the integration with home assistant alive.
We are a lot of users, and we can massively write to Haier Europe. The project damage Haier? It's a little hilarious.. Anyway.. What do you think about a creation of petition or a common email to Haier?
I'll be complaining for sure. I can also setup private hosting of the repo if that helps (or you could use bit bucket etc that have a free but private option)
Can't believe they want this shutdown what backward thinking. Little annoyed literally just bought an appliance after checking if there was a home assistant plugin for it this weekend and now its been shutdown. These companies need to re-think their strategy. What is the difference if you are accessing it from you phone or another device, just doesn't make sense.
Just point us where to fill a little complain. What the hell is "causing significant economic harm" ? Phone app is hilarious, almost anytime i use it it ask for credentials again and again ... This better be joke ;)
Contact form here though not for complaints
https://www.hoover-home.com/en_GB/contact-form/
I also bought two Haier appliances because of their ability to connect to home assistant. I was looking at their dishwashers to add a third and even recommend them to friends. They are shooting themselves in the foot massively - the DIY smart home market is huge.
I saw that the project is to be shut down, is that purely on the basis of Haier's message or has Home Assistant / Github insisted on it? Talk of "attorneys / legal action" will only work if you are in the same jurisdiction, it seems like a scare tactic and I agree with OP - as Haier customers we should make some noise and share the responsibility for the integration however we can to keep it going.
imagine if the repository was archived and as a user base, we were to all fork the project individually in order to continue using it, there'd be multiple copies of the code, managed by users all over the world all connecting into Haier's systems. Haier aren't going to take every one of us to court, irrespective of the legal arguments, taking your loyal customers to court is not a good look for any company and a sure fire way to lose them. If the issue is they have any technical concerns about the integration they could raise them and they can be fixed. Just shows they don't understand the potential of the DIY smart home market.
Happy to help share the burden however would help.
Guess you can also send email complaints here. This is specific to the app team I think:
if I dont update will the addon still continue to work ?
you can update, addon still working. the author must remove the code from the Internet.
Just one thing there, while Haier should if anything be offering to purchase the addon (concept or code) and not forcing it to go offline it is possible that the addon does incur economic damage to Haier, it depends on how it works, but I think the most likely 'reason' they can give for this is the addon triggering a constant stream of api calls throughout the day whereas you would only otherwise use their shitty app for a very short period, so in theory they can probably claim correctly that the addon costs them financially (I would however think a great deal given it is only HA users). While the addon will keep working when taken down, it would then probably be a simple matter to either stop it working by changing the api or it's authentication but it will take them a while to do that I hope since they would need to push out mobile app changes first.
I would add that for the HA integration is a must, no more Haier devices for me given this.
We need to investigate further how to control Haier devices locally.
I am also looking for such a possibility. I found the project https://community.home-assistant.io/t/esp-haier-haier-air-conditioner-esp-home-wemos-d1-mini/127880 although, I have the impression that there are two versions, Haier and Haier Europe which is why, among other things, my air conditioning does not work.
Many thanks for all the support. We have put a lot of work into this integration and I am very disappointed in Haier. This integration brings Haier added value free of charge and I find it appalling how it is being handled. I will not take the project down immediately and simply let Haier win. Using the api should not be illegal. If the significant economic damage is caused by us making too many requests with the integration, we can talk about it and slow it down. Luckily I'm insured. I've contacted my legal expenses insurance and they're covering a lawyer for the case. I will seek advice and see how an expert assesses the situation and then proceed.
We need to investigate further how to control Haier devices locally.
Definitely.
Perhaps by redirecting the cloud server dns on our home networks and then run a local server to Imitate the cloud.
I have a feeling my washer and dryer are esp32 based. Despite their size they may have the brains of a lightbulb! I will do some digging. If they are esp32 based we may not need to reinvent the wheel for custom firmware as many will have gone that way before us
I have sent a complaint to Haier customer support via email and the app tonight. Will try twitter next. And then I have some 1* amszon/trustpilot/etc reviews to write, but will see if they respond first.
I have wrote. We all need to wrote, and say that What they need to do is provide an official integration with Home Assistant yourselves and not wait for third parties to develop them
I think they have written to scare, they are probably trying to monopolize the market. Just like they forced Apple to use USB-C to allow compatibility, this is something similar. They cannot prohibit something that is yours from communicating with your home automation, but they are using fear tactics
This makes no sense, i will not buy any more haier products, what's the point of getting an IoT thing if i can't integrate it into home assistant then?
Not sure how a violation of terms of service is relevant to you, the plugin author, unless you're violating those terms yourself or proxying requests for others. Glad to hear you have insurance.
I think they have written to scare, they are probably trying to monopolize the market. Just like they forced Apple to use USB-C to allow compatibility, this is something similar. They cannot prohibit something that is yours from communicating with your home automation, but they are using fear tactics
But they can demand that an unofficial app/script doesn't access their api.
I don't agree with what they are doing but they are perfectly within their rights to send a c&d.
retweet and telle everybody you know to retweet https://twitter.com/hectormjuste/status/1747183924722253955
But they can demand that an unofficial app/script doesn't access their api.
I'm not totally agree with that. We are accessing the API with our users and passwords to our data about our appliances. APIs are used without any type of brute force. We are simply using what they publicy left available. Don't want people use API? Lock it. You want a restricted usage? Make it available through a more clear API access with an api key, with limits to avoid servers overload.. And make all happy. Probably is not clear to Haier how much this integration helped to sell appliances..
Haier don't have a legal leg to stand on in Europe (Article 6 of the EU software directive applies) or the DMCA (Interoperability work is protected)
APIs are not private and Haier are attempting a "prior restraint on trade" (words which will make most regulators prick up their ears and take interest) by way of enforcing vendor lockin
I have flagged this to some tech journalists and suggested they get comment from regulators/EFF
Someone needs to flag this to German regulators - they take this kind of behaviour extremely seriously and will quite happily drag Haier over the coals (I'm outside the EU thanks to Brexit, so can't do it)
Haier have probably just kicked a hornets' nest and are about to reap the consequences
Just sent this to [email protected]
Dear Haier-Team,
I have seen your Haier Europe Security and Governance Department have threaten open source developer Andre0512 to shut down two github projects with legal actions. They stated Haier is suffering significant economic harm form providing integration of Haier products to home-assistant. I don´t see where economic harm could occur from providing good integrations in widely used home automation software.
Having good integration in home-assistant is a competitive advantage nowadays. So Haier has a economic advantage from these projects.
I personally, and I think any other home-assistant user, chose the manufacturer with the possibility of integration into their home automation.
Please reconsider your actions against open source developers. Manufacturers prohibiting open source integration will definitely land on my "no buy" list.
Also sent an email based of @subw0ofer
Dear Haier-Team,
I have seen your Haier Europe Security and Governance Department have threaten open source developer Andre0512 to shut down two github projects with legal actions. They stated Haier is suffering significant economic harm form providing integration of Haier products to home-assistant. I don't see where economic harm could occur from providing good integrations in widely used home automation software.
Having a good integration with home-assistant is a competitive advantage. So Haier has a economic advantage from these projects. I for once wouldn't buy Haier if not for an existing API integration with my existing home automation solution. And no, hOn is not an option. If not for this integration I would have bought Samsung, LG or Mitsubishi.
Personally, and I think any other home-assistant users, chose the manufacturer with the possibility of integration into their home automation.
Please reconsider your actions against open source developers. Manufacturers prohibiting open source integration will definitely land on my "no buy" list. Manufacturers without these integrations will land on my "not recommended" list for any contacts I have.
Best regards
I've send this mail to Hayer.
Dear Haier Europe Security and Governance Department,
I am writing to express my disappointment and concern regarding the recent communication I read on Github, stating that Haier Europe wishes to have the GitHub project developed by the open-source developer Andre0512 closed.
Firstly, I want to emphasize that I consciously chose Haier as my preferred air conditioning brand because of its compatibility with the open-source project created by Andre0512. The integration with Home Assistant, facilitated by Andre0512's work (https://github.com/Andre0512/hon and https://github.com/Andre0512/pyhOn), played a pivotal role in my decision to opt for Haier products.
Understanding that Haier prioritizes the protection of its intellectual property, I would like to express my sincere regret if the company perceives the mentioned integration as a violation of terms of service. However, it is important to note that the project in question has significantly contributed to enhancing the user experience and functionality of Haier products within the context of home automation.
It is with great disappointment that I learned about Haier's request to close down this open-source project. As a loyal customer who was planning to purchase two additional Haier air conditioners, I am now reconsidering my decision due to the potential discontinuation of support for the Home Assistant integration.
I understand the importance of protecting intellectual property, but I believe there might be alternative solutions or compromises that can be explored. I kindly urge Haier to reconsider the decision to close down the project and to explore an amicable resolution that would not only protect the company's interests but also preserve the positive experiences of customers like myself who appreciate the added value provided by the open-source community.
If Haier decides to proceed with the closure of the project, it is with regret that I may need to explore other air conditioning brands that offer compatibility with my home automation system. This decision would not be taken lightly, as I have been satisfied with Haier's products and services.
I sincerely hope that Haier Europe will consider the impact on loyal customers like myself and explore alternatives that can maintain a positive relationship between the company and the open-source community.
Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Someone needs to flag this to German regulators - they take this kind of behaviour extremely seriously and will quite happily drag Haier over the coals (I'm outside the EU thanks to Brexit, so can't do it)
That sounds like another good option! Do you know who i can contact in Germany?
Thank you for all your support! Btw, this was the e-mail address that contacted me: [email protected]
Thank you for all your support! Btw, this was the e-mail address that contacted me: [email protected]
Thanks, forwarded the mail to that adress.
I suggest to lets wait if this does somtehing. If they decide to continue this I suggest next step is contacting CEO's and mangers of Haier on Linkedin.
I hope we don't have to take it that route.
I contacted the Polish media and will try to find out whether the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is able to do something. Let's hope that Haier will not succeed in this blockade.
Haier don't have a legal leg to stand on in Europe (Article 6 of the EU software directive applies) or the DMCA (Interoperability work is protected)
APIs are not private and Haier are attempting a "prior restraint on trade" (words which will make most regulators prick up their ears and take interest) by way of enforcing vendor lockin
I have flagged this to some tech journalists and suggested they get comment from regulators/EFF
Someone needs to flag this to German regulators - they take this kind of behaviour extremely seriously and will quite happily drag Haier over the coals (I'm outside the EU thanks to Brexit, so can't do it)
Haier have probably just kicked a hornets' nest and are about to reap the consequences
This is what I said, it is not legal, but they try to send a message to the developer to try he being in panic