there is a warranty period. there are also times you may ask for a concession and get policy from a manufacturer. policy is good will towards a customer to address an issue outside of the warranty period or an item warranty does not cover. the manufacturer really could issue a policy adjustment towards op and send a board. then they can throw that board on the pile of warranty boards since its so new and get paid for it. not a big deal. all the lawyers coming out on this thread, ridiculous. people vote with their wallets. as a business you have to make good decisions and part of that is to not get bad PR. send the customer the board and avoid bad PR and call it a day. good business decision.