Deere & Co Agrees to $99 Million Settlement in Right to Repair Lawsuit
Deere & Co., the manufacturer behind the John Deere brand, has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of monopolizing agricultural equipment repair services. The settlement, which requires final court approval, resolves a 2022 case alleging that Deere withheld repair software and conspired with authorized dealers to force farmers into using their services, thereby enabling supracompetitive pricing. While Deere denies any wrongdoing, stating it remains committed to customer support, the company aims to move forward by focusing on service quality. The funds will compensate class members who paid for repairs on large agriculture equipment between January 10, 2018, and the preliminary approval date. Additionally, Deere agreed to injunctive relief to improve access to diagnostic tools and repair resources. This development occurs amidst broader regulatory scrutiny, including a separate lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission in January 2025 regarding unfair repair practices. The case highlights the growing right-to-repair movement affecting various industries, from farm machinery to consumer electronics, as lawmakers and consumers push back against restrictive repair policies.
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Deere & Co Agrees to $99 Million Settlement in Right to Repair Lawsuit
Deere & Co., the manufacturer behind the John Deere brand, has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of monopolizing agricultural equipment repair services. The settlement, which requires final court approval, resolves a 2022 case alleging that Deere withheld repair software and conspired with authorized dealers to force farmers into using their services, thereby enabling supracompetitive pricing. While Deere denies any wrongdoing, stating it remains committed to customer support, the company aims to move forward by focusing on service quality. The funds will compensate class members who paid for repairs on large agriculture equipment between January 10, 2018, and the preliminary approval date. Additionally, Deere agreed to injunctive relief to improve access to diagnostic tools and repair resources. This development occurs amidst broader regulatory scrutiny, including a separate lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission in January 2025 regarding unfair repair practices. The case highlights the growing right-to-repair movement affecting various industries, from farm machinery to consumer electronics, as lawmakers and consumers push back against restrictive repair policies.
AP News