Yes, it's semantics. But i think we disagree on, to what standard a manufacture should be held to.

I believe a manufacturer should be responsible for ensuring its products are safe in all expected rider scenario. If not, clear instructions have to be provided. This bar is sold at retail with no instructions on cutting base bar. It's also uncommon to cut basebars, so I don't think equipment manufacturers should be expected to do so without instructions from PD. Maybe PD did tell bike makers to cut down base bars. If so, I would agree it's the bike makers fault for assembled bikes. But then why didn't PD give such instructions to its retail customers?

I think you believe a customer (or bike makers) is supposed to know to that the PD bars are too long, and you should cut them down so as to make sure they don't crack.

I believe that's your ex-manufacturer bias, and I believe it's anti-consumer, but I digress.