The US Federal Trade Commission, joined by five states, reached a settlement with Deere & Company that requires John Deere to give farmers and independent repair providers the same repair resources and applicable software capabilities that the company now provides to its authorized dealers. The FTC sued Deere last year alleging the company used unfair practices that limited owners' ability to repair equipment and forced them to pay higher prices for services. The agreement runs for 10 years, includes reporting and oversight requirements, and can be extended if Deere violates its terms. US PIRG Senior Right to Repair Campaign Director Nathan Proctor called the settlement "a win for farmers" and said it gives more and better options to repair equipment. The deal intends to open access to diagnostic tools and software previously restricted to dealers, changing how farmers and third-party shops obtain repairs for John Deere machines.
