FTC Right-to-repair settlement follows years of advocacy in Montana
FTC settlement with John Deere grants farmers and independent shops access to repair tools and software after years of Montana advocacy.Summary
The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with Deere & Co. that requires the agricultural equipment maker to provide farmers and independent repair shops with the same diagnostic tools, software, and parts‑programming resources available to authorized John Deere dealers. The agreement settles an antitrust lawsuit filed in January 2025 by the FTC and attorneys general from five states, which alleged Deere illegally restricted access to electronic repair tools. Under the settlement, these resources must be offered on fair and reasonable terms for ten years, with FTC and state oversight. Montana Farmers Union leaders hailed the deal as a major victory after years of pushing for right‑to‑repair legislation, noting that reduced equipment downtime could save farmers billions annually and alleviate stress during planting and harvest.
(Source：Kbzk News)