Let me organize a couple of ideas here:
1 - Keysight has all the power to make such a decision, regarding it doesn't go against any law. (Although I think this may put many KS resellers in danger of legal procedures, at least in the EU...)
2 - It's not a Keysight Germany decision. A decision of this type must have the approval at the highest level in Keysight. (If it doesn't then someone's head will be cut off.)
3 - Resellers could serve as intermediate servicing points and all would be good but most don't want to go that route or, at least, the customer won't want the hassles and to pay the extra of having a middle man.
4 - The VAT BS matter, because of creating a business for this, reminds me that occasion when we want to see a specific football game and subscribe to a premium TV channel. 6 months later we are still paying the subscription...
In this case:
- "Honey, what are all these taxes and expenses with this company Calib_Me that we have been getting these last 6 years?" Husband answers: - "Oh darling, it's something I created to have my DMM calibrated back then..."
5 - Daniel is a great guy
and, as many in many companies, goes the extra mile in providing official and personal support to any problem he sees he can do some difference, always defending his mother company. His message is a responsible message, well written and (IMHO) the only one he could write in such conditions. The "sense in the air" is that he isn't too comfortable (replace with agreeable if you prefer) with this decision. But it's truly beyond his powers. Don't take it hard on him, go through the official channels.
6 - Regarding what people can do: those that can/want to go the legal way in some specific cases, are entitled and encouraged to.
To the rest I say this: we all have our powers also. Privately, be it our hobby or own business, we can choose to not buy KS as long there are other brands that can do the job. Secondly,
and the most important since it's the one that surely calls KS attention, in our circles or influence or on our procurement/advisory positions inside each big company many of us work, we can advocate in not choosing KS because of the type of assurances this company provides to minor guys (one day, any one of us can be in the lower side of the scale).
All the KS people that should be squeezed against the wall, are the account managers, sales directors and CSOs that come to our doors trying to push the maintenance contracts and all the new product lines! Those are the moments where they must explain their support strategy and/or balance it with a much lower price in order to convince us in buying the product/service.
The only thing that will make them listen: their wallet. If they continue to grow in numbers, no reason to rollback.