By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- John Deere’s proposed $99 million right-to-repair settlement awaits judge’s approval
- No date set for Federal Trade Commission case hearing against John Deere
- National right to repair movement aims to remove equipment repair restrictions
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Farm equipment maker John Deere has agreed to a $99 million proposed settlement of right-to-repair claims, but that’s not the last word — or litigation — in a wider situation that raised questions about data transparency and allegations of unfair business practices.
“It is a big win for those plaintiffs, but we will have to see what the impact is for the rest of the farmers in the country with green equipment,” said Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center.
The proposed settlement, filed April 6 with the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois Western Division, must still be approved by members of the plaintiff class and the court. Under the settlement, farmers who were part of the class action suit will be reimbursed for specific repairs made by Deere dealers going back to January 2018. The settlement also calls for the company to provide digital tools to allow farmers and independent repair shops to manage software and electronics problems.
Still looming is suit filed against Deere in January 2025 by the Federal Trade Commission, and the states of Minnesota and Illinois. This case will also be heard the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois Western Division.
“The FTC is the bigger case, but we don’t yet know when that case will be heard,” Rumley said.
Right to repair
Will Scobey, staff attorney with the National Agricultural Law Center, describes right to repair “as a nationwide movement seeking to lift repair restrictions on various products from consumer electronics to large-scale agricultural equipment.”
“For farmers, this movement marks an attempt to restore the ability to repair their equipment without being subjected to manufacturer restrictions,” he said.
As software becomes more widely used in everything from laundry washing machines to combines, questions have arisen about who has the right to fix equipment running on a company’s proprietary software.
“Deere prohibits customer modification of ‘embedded software’ due to ‘risks related to the safe operation of equipment, emissions compliance, engine performance, data security, warranty validation and resale value,” Scobey said.
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