FTC and States Sue John Deere for Violating Farmers’ Right to Repair

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Illinois, and Minnesota have filed a joint suit against Deere & Company.

More familiarly known as John Deere, the company manufactures agricultural equipment commonly owned by American farmers. The lawsuit alleges that Deere illegally monopolizes the repair market for its products by making its software scan and repair tool available exclusively to its authorized dealers. Therefore, the complaint alleges, farmers and independent repairers are unable to access the computerized systems needed to repair the equipment, resulting in more expensive and less timely repairs.

In her statement on the filing of the suit, outgoing FTC Chair Lina Khan stated, "Unlawful repair restrictions should continue to be a key area of focus for the Commission. This work will be especially important as continued technological advances, such as the increasing rise of software in automobiles and integration of artificial intelligence into everyday items, will create new areas where repair restrictions inflate costs, create frustration, and harm competition."

The FTC chairs voted 3-2 to file the lawsuit. FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson - who President-Elect Trump has selected to chair the FTC when he becomes president - wrote in his dissenting opinion that he opposes the decision to file this suit on procedural grounds. Namely, he argues that this decision was made with partisan considerations, it undercuts an ongoing investigation into Deere's practices, and it undercuts ongoing settlement negotiations between the company and farmers.

Click here to read the FTC's press release on the filing.

Click here to read the FTC's claim in its entirety.

Click here to read FTC Chair Khan's statement.

Click here to read FTC Commissioner Ferguson's dissenting opinion.