@gerrymcgovern the technical knowledge of any product to be sold in Europe (and other places with common markets) should be mandatorily given to a trusted authority prior to the first sell. Including any software.

As soon as the manufacturer is for whatever reason unable to service or replace with an equal product then that knowledge is to be released to the customers and to whoever might be able to provide service.

Reverse engineering of "abandonware" must be legal, no matter the technology.