TP-Link says "fuck you, blame the FCC"

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TP-Link is the first, but I'm sure others will follow suit, to prevent users from upgrading to more flexible and more secure open source router firmware like DD-WRT, OpenWRT, etc.

They are blaming their laziness on the FCC's rule from last November that they need to prevent boosting of signal strength. The easiest way, though not the only way, to do that is to block the installation of any non-approved firmware.

Although it won't be long before someone works out how to root the router and so be able to install other firmware, that will violate the DMCA and be a felony.

From the below article

UPDATE: DD-WRT developer Sebastian Gottschall doubts whether TP-Link is actually blocking third-party firmware.

"TP-Link has not blocked the firmwares in any useful way," Gottschall told Ars. "Just the firmware header has been a little bit changed and a region code has been added. This has been introduced in September 2015. DD-WRT for instance does still provide compatible images... in fact it's no lock."

But as we noted earlier, TP-Link's FAQ says the new regulation does not apply to routers produced before June 2016, so the company may be planning further restrictions.

But Wired has an article containing an email exchange between user and TP-Link that says they are locking them down.

Here's one link on the topic. If you search FCC + tp-link + firmware you'll find others.
http://arstechnica.com/information-...-router-firmware-to-comply-with-new-fcc-rule/

There are other rules pending from the FCC that could be modified to mitigate the issue if they say mfgs have to limit the power without blocking other firmware changes by users.