Anecdotally, when my Xtrfy MZ1 mouse cable started shorting 5V to ground, they required a similar process (cutting the cable) before sending a replacement.

This was their response when I asked why: > Yes this policy was put in place because there was multiple instances of people reselling their faulty products after receiving a replacement.

> The secondhand buyers then reached out to us, let down to have received a broken product.

I'd imagine it's a similar reason for Noctua.