Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
The Courts

John Deere Agrees To 10-Year Right-To-Repair Deal In FTC Antitrust Lawsuit (wired.com) 83

Posted by BeauHD from the big-wins dept.
John Deere has agreed to a 10-year FTC-supervised right-to-repair settlement requiring it to provide farmers and independent repair shops with the same repair resources available to authorized dealers. The deal resolves antitrust claims from the FTC and five states alleging Deere monopolized equipment repair services, contributing to higher costs and delays for farmers. Wired reports: The full statement (PDF) lays out obligations for John Deere's repair services, requiring the company to give farmers and third-party repair shops access to the same equipment and repair resources it provides to official John Deere dealers. This includes software capabilities, such as reading and resetting codes and pairing with other software, which customers have long had limited access to, creating delays when diagnosing equipment problems. Delayed fixes can mean delayed harvests, which many farmers saw as a fundamental threat to their livelihoods.

Under the agreement, John Deere will be required to provide this level of access, equipment, and services for the next 10 years, monitored by the FTC. [...] John Deere has maintained that it already has robust repair resources for its customers, including service manuals and diagnostic equipment. In John Deere's press release, the company says the settlement is in line with what it has been doing all along, saying that "the agreement reinforces Deere's continued innovation toward more flexible repair options, emphasizing increased access and transparency for customers. It formalizes Deere's ongoing commitment to expanding access to diagnostic and repair tools."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

John Deere Agrees To 10-Year Right-To-Repair Deal In FTC Antitrust Lawsuit More

John Deere Agrees To 10-Year Right-To-Repair Deal In FTC Antitrust Lawsuit

Comments Filter:

  • We have been doing this all along... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by silvergig ( 7651900 ) on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @06:02PM (#66228926)
    ...and we will do this for another 10 years. So, are they saying that after 10 more years, they're not going to do it anymore?

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by drnb ( 2434720 )

      ...and we will do this for another 10 years. So, are they saying that after 10 more years, they're not going to do it anymore?

      I think the 10 years only applies to FTC supervision, not the expectation of the right to repair.

      • Re:We have been doing this all along... (Score:5, Insightful)

        by dgatwood ( 11270 ) on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @06:39PM (#66229002) Homepage Journal

        ...and we will do this for another 10 years. So, are they saying that after 10 more years, they're not going to do it anymore?

        I think the 10 years only applies to FTC supervision, not the expectation of the right to repair.

        It's an out-of-court settlement. After ten years, if they lock down repairs again, it's not a breach of the agreement, so the government will have to care enough to file a lawsuit.

        I feel like the real way to solve this problem is to wait for the all-electric Chinese-made tractors to get good enough, then let John Deere shrivel on the vine. They're only able to pull this stuff because there isn't much competition.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by jhoegl ( 638955 )
          Its our government standard, kicking the can down the road.
        • Farmers should vote with their wallet and start buying other manufacturers, like JCB/Fendt machinery, which already allows the farmer right to repair.

        • They're only able to pull this stuff because there isn't much competition.

          Kubota is a damn fine alternative.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by dgatwood ( 11270 )

            They're only able to pull this stuff because there isn't much competition.

            Kubota is a damn fine alternative.

            There are a couple of alternatives. The problem is that there are only a couple.

        • Or this one: https://tech.slashdot.org/stor... [slashdot.org]. In fact don't buy American and you will be all right. American companies at this point are driven by unbridled greed. Be it the American printers, automobiles or any other.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      It might not matter in 10 years. Peolpe are already importing Chinese tractors because they are simple and easy to maintain, and decent quality. Depending on how protectionist the US remains, in 10 years the market may look very different.

      It seems like there is an obvious business opportunity for a domestic tractor manufacturer here. Anyone care to explain why nobody has moved into this market?

      • That would be that labor costs are too high, they wouldn't be able to compete with the established players as a new manufacturer that would have a bunch of development costs for what would, at least at the start, be more primitive offerings.
        Of course, primitive is what some people are after.
        Meanwhile, the Chinese have taken over on much of the innovation, or at least development. The USA and Europe have too much invested in the status quo these days.

        • European tractors are doing fine in the US and are gaining market share on John Deeres behalf. Not because they are cheaper but you can repair them

          • Indeed, but I was answering the question: "It seems like there is an obvious business opportunity for a domestic tractor manufacturer here. Anyone care to explain why nobody has moved into this market?"
            European tractors would not be a domestic manufacturer. A domestic company moving into the market would be a "new manufacturer" and would have to invest quite a bit into development - design, manufacturing, etc...
            It's easier for other companies, whether Chinese, Japanese, or European to move in instead with

    • Or we elect enough progressives who care about the country to unleash antitrust enforcement and shatter large corporations.

      Now if you like Capitalism, and love America, you would want that because we've hit the point in Capitalism where it has essentially become Monopolism in all but name. So companies like Deere would have to be broken into a half dozen companies, and firms like Blackrock shattered into tiny shards, maybe one for every brand they own.

      The only way to save Capitalism is to make sure we

    • I read it more as "we're already in compliance, no changes"

      And now we'll have another long lawsuit about whether or not they're in compliance. They'll need to make changes in 9 years when that suit plays out and a year later it's irrelevant.

  • Sure they can provide the diags, but you are going to pay John Deere prices for it. You might be granted access but can you afford to use it?

    • “Fair and Reasonable Terms” shall be assessed based on the following factors: (1) the net
      cost (accounting for any discounts, rebates, or other incentive programs) to a Deere
      Dealer, for similar items obtained from Defendant; (2) the cost to Defendant of preparing,
      maintaining, and distributing the item; (3) the price charged by other manufacturers of
      agricultural equipment for similar items; (4) the ability of Owners and IRPs to afford the
      item; (5) the means by which the item is distributed; (6) the extent to which the item is
      used, which includes the number of users, and frequency, duration, and volume of use;
      and (7) inflation.

      • Re:Covered By The Court Order (Score:4, Insightful)

        by drinkypoo ( 153816 ) <drink@hyperlogos.org> on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @08:36PM (#66229150) Homepage Journal

        Yeah it also says this:

        Each of these instructions is subject to your
        reasonable business judgment related to the cost of serving an owner or independent repair provider due to factors other than the foregoing considerations, such as the ownerâ(TM)s or independent repair providerâ(TM)s geographic location, creditworthiness, or compliance with law

        IOW there is plenty of room for Deere and Deere dealers to fuck everyone over and make this end up in court again.
        As long as we keep doing this piecemeal shit we are going to have to keep fighting the same battles over and over again. We need a broad right to repair law applying to EVERYONE FOREVER, not John fucking Deere for ten fucking years.

        • That was my reaction as well, this isn't the farmers saying "we've finally got repair access to our machinery", this is John Deere saying "we've got our flesh-eating zombie layers working day and night to misuse these conditions and make sure those damn hayseeds never get anything useful from us".

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by DarkOx ( 621550 )

          Exactly my concern here.

          There is enough wiggle room from them to mark arguments like 'oh well software tools sure we trust our company stores to hold on to them but um trade secrets we can't leave that stuff with just anyone with a set a wrenches and coveralls'

          So they ship and require to ship back some 300lbs of server equipment and the fee is $800 every time.. Force any independent shops to go back to court.. Will Deere lose again probably, but in the mean time they still lock out anyone not willing to fig

    • Re:pricing? (Score:4, Informative)

      by drnb ( 2434720 ) on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @06:23PM (#66228980)

      Sure they can provide the diags, but you are going to pay John Deere prices for it. You might be granted access but can you afford to use it?

      Getting access to specialized tools and spare parts is a win. And if there is a large enough market for it, then 3rd party tools and parts will become available.

      I have an 15 year old car. The 3rd brake light lens cracks. The entire assembly has to be replaced. I can buy a $200 official factory part or a $50 3rd party part. According to review the 3rd party fits well and works. If the factory over changes, someone else will see a market opportunity.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by ksw_92 ( 5249207 )

        Not sure how quickly 3rd-party parts will be available or if they'll work the same. A lot of the issues with Deere equipment is in the distributed nature of the software. Lots of sensors and actuators run Deere-owned software. Even if the part OEM branches out and sells directly to consumers (which is not likely as I bet most of the sourcing contracts are exclusive to Deere...no direct sales of Deere-designed parts) the software loads are still going be under copyright.

        It's one thing to crank out monkey-cop

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by drnb ( 2434720 )
          For such advanced parts I would be reluctant to go 3rd party. I can still save on labor if I have to buy such parts from the manufacturer.

  • Just a calculated pause! (Score:3, Insightful)

    by oldgraybeard ( 2939809 ) on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @06:15PM (#66228958)
    Until the political situation in Washington DC becomes more pliable($$$) again. Then it is business as usual.

    • Buddy, you better take a good look at who is in office.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by drnb ( 2434720 )

      Until the political situation in Washington DC becomes more pliable($$$) again. Then it is business as usual.

      Why do you think the Democrats will be agains this? Surely they would not oppose this merely because Trump is a big advocate for the right to repair.

      • Not to mention this process actually started while Biden was in office.

        I wouldn't be surprised if John Deere decided it wanted to settle this while a business-friendly administration and Congress was in place. Sort of how back during the Microsoft anti-trust fights, MS dragged things out until Bush the Younger was in office... then settled.

  • It is something, and it is something NOW -which is important.

    But it gives them free reign to do it again in 10 years..

    • Up to us, the populace to vote for people who would be willing to pass a law about it. This is the extent the FTC can do without that.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by HiThere ( 15173 )

        Sorry, but as an artifact of the plurality wins voting system, only two parties are viable. And neither the Democrats nor the Republicans really want to control business. It's true they are bribed by different groups, but they both depend on bribes to campaign for office.

        • True, we naturally will have 2 parties in our current system but primaries exist (and only get like 20-30% turnout) and one party is way worse than the other. I mean case in point if you like the outcome of this story and want more of it one of them is much more likely to do it.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by HiThere ( 15173 )

            Yes, but it was the Democrats that pushed expansion of copyright law. However the Republicans are more supportive of expansive monopolies. Hard to pick a good side there.

            • I mean sure, if you want to compare copyright law to say, the sitting US President conspiring to subvert the election and delaying the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in US history. The fact you have to go back 30 years to Sonny Bono to make a "both sides" makes me pretty confident my assertion is correct. Never mind that 1998 bill was approved unanimously and while the internet was nascent.

              I think it's quite easy to make a "good side" choice if one is aware of reality of the past 26 years.

  • just for 10 years, for whatever John Deere wants to charge you.

  • John Deere has always been shady (Score:5, Interesting)

    by RitchCraft ( 6454710 ) on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @06:22PM (#66228978)

    My grandfather was a farmer right up until he died in 2008 at the age of 90. He swore by Massey Ferguson implements and tractors. Even back in the day he always said John Deere was a company to avoid. Fucking over the people that feed us shows just how fucked up the Deere C-Suite is. Fuck you John Deere ... Fuck You.

  • Now Do Case IH (Score:3)

    by SlashbotAgent ( 6477336 ) on Wednesday July 08, 2026 @06:30PM (#66228992)

    No one ever mentions them. But Case IH operates exactly the same way that JD does.

    • So does CAT. They are currently in the middle of destroying all of their old products by failing to supply parts for them. CAT field techs are reporting months of lead time for common parts.

  • Does this mean 3rd parties will be able to buy all the computer modules and things for the tractors and load the firmware packages onto them and then install them into the tractors and have everything work?

  • These things are giant agriculture robots that can shred or squish or dis-arm you in a blink.
    The guidance system is complex and (of course) requires accurate and precise calibration,
    interacting with whatever is attached to the bus and mechanicals.
    You can see Deere's potential legal liabilities here.

    There's an assumption that salt-of-the-earth farmers will know what they're doing,
    will follow all documented procedures and not take shortcuts.
    Doubtful. They have other work to do.

    • Has a tractor manufacturer ever been held responsible for an injury caused by one of their tractors?

      I know someone who got his foot cut in half by an auger. Do you think the auger manufacturer paid for that injury? No, of course not.

    • OM NOM NOM BOOTS

      SEE SIG

  • Simple: Thar is long enough that they can pretend it is a huge deal and short enough that no business can depend on this long-term. Hence actually using these resources will remain a side-show as people know they will go away again in 10 years.

    To actually change things, this would have need to be a permanent, dependable requirement.

  • John Deere hates capitalism. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by gurps_npc ( 621217 ) on Thursday July 09, 2026 @08:34AM (#66229782) Homepage

    They either do not understand the idea of a 'fair market' or hate it so much. They know they can't do the repairs cheap enough or fast enough to earn their customer's continued service. So they try to lock in the repair costs.

    Then they lie about in court.

    I would not worry about what happens in 2038, there is a good chance we will get better consumer production laws starting 2 years from now.

  • Every company, always... (Score:3)

    by bradley13 ( 1118935 ) on Thursday July 09, 2026 @10:18AM (#66229942) Homepage

    Every company ought to always be required to make technical documentation and replacement components available for their products.

    I just had this on a much smaller scale: a cordless Bosch vacuum cleaner. It almost certainly needed a battery replacement. Nowhere on the internet is there a diagram of how to disassemble it. Remove all the visible screws and...nothing. Finally get it apart, and: the seven batteries (in series) are installed in such a way as to be very difficult to remove. Of course, there is no information on what their specs are, and as far as I can tell, Bosch won't sell you replacements. Ultimately, we threw it away and bought a new one (from a brand that does sell replacement parts).

    It's absolutely irritating to have to trash an appliance that just needs a simple repair. This is where government regulation would actually be important.

  • Only a symptom (Score:3)

    by marcle ( 1575627 ) on Thursday July 09, 2026 @12:48PM (#66230218)

    Deere's lockdown of repair and maintenance was disgusting, and I'm glad there is at least some temporary relief. But as others have pointed out, they'll be at it again in 10 years.

    The real problem is Deere's unbridled pursuit of profit, and their willingness to screw over customers in that pursuit. This settlement will only modify one aspect of their bad behavior, and only temporarily. The stockholders can rest secure in the knowledge that Deere will surely find numerous other loopholes and continue to extract maximum bucks from the American farmer.

    Of course they're not the only ones, but they're unfortunately a critical link in a critical industry, and they're much worse than most.

  • Does that include.. (Score:3)

    by whitroth ( 9367 ) <`whitroth' `at' `5-cent.us'> on Thursday July 09, 2026 @12:54PM (#66230230) Homepage

    ...the charge for the Magic Number code to make the new parts work? You know, they way HP doesn't want to print if it's not an Origianl HP Ink?

  • Self-Administered Corpo Kool Aid (Score:3)

    by zuki ( 845560 ) on Thursday July 09, 2026 @04:23PM (#66230574) Journal
    "the agreement reinforces Deere's continued innovation toward more flexible repair options, emphasizing increased access and transparency for customers. It formalizes Deere's ongoing commitment to expanding access to diagnostic and repair tools."

    It's as if the corpo lawyers and copywriters are only ever capable of gleefully basking in the meaningless and empty marketingspeak they customarily feed to press releases?

    This could lead one to wonder if after a while they themselves actually start believing what such gigantic piles of manure are saying? (being that manure emits methane, self-gaslighting doesn't seem too far-fetched)

Slashdot Top Deals

We can defeat gravity. The problem is the paperwork involved.

Close