https://www.techdirt.com/2023/12/08/judge-allows-major-right-to-repair-lawsuit-against-john-deere-to-move-forward/ [ ] Techdirt. [ ] * Sign In * Register * Preferences Techdirt [ ] * TechDirt * GreenHouse * Free Speech * Error 402 * Deals * Jobs * Support Techdirt [podcast-ti] Court Shuts Down Union's Assertion That NYPD Officers Should Be Allowed To Choke People To Death Supporting Free Speech Means Supporting Victims Of SLAPP Suits, Even If You Disagree With The Speakers Judge Allows Major 'Right To Repair' Lawsuit Against John Deere To Move Forward [legal-issu] Legal Issues from the do-not-pass-go,-do-not-collect-$200 dept Fri, Dec 8th 2023 05:23am - Karl Bode Last year agricultural equipment giant John Deere found itself on the receiving end of an antitrust lawsuit for its efforts to monopolize tractor repair. The lawsuits noted that the company consistently purchased competing repair centers in order to consolidate the sector and force customers into using the company's own repair facilities, driving up costs and logistical hurdles dramatically for farmers. The lawsuits also noted how the company routinely makes repair difficult and costly through the act of software locks, obnoxious DRM, and "parts pairing" -- which involves only allowing the installation of company-certified replacement parts -- or mandatory collections of company-blessed components. One of the lawsuits by a collection of 18 farms and farmers was allowed to move forward last week after a judge ruled against the company's motion to dismiss: "In a forceful, 89-page memorandum, U.S. District Court Judge Iain Johnson wrote that the founder of John Deere "was an innovative farmer and blacksmith who--with his own hands--fundamentally changed the agricultural industry." Deere the man "would be deeply disappointed in his namesake corporation" if the plaintiffs can ultimately prove their antitrust allegations against Deere the company, which are voluminous and well-documented." John Deere has spent years promising farmers that they'd reverse course on their efforts to monopolize repair, only to ignore their own promises. The company has also been striking meaningless "memorandums of understanding" with key trade groups, pinky swearing to stop their bad behavior if the groups agree to not support state or federal right to repair legislation. The market isn't going to fix this problem by itself. It's clearly going to require a combination of antitrust reform, regulatory action, new state/federal legislation, and meaningful class action penalties before John Deere executives finally get the message. And unfortunately for them, right to repair reform continues to see stunning levels of bipartisan public support. Filed Under: agricultural, consumer rights, farmers, farming, freedom to tinker, right to repair, tractor Companies: john deere 3 CommentsLeave a Comment If you liked this post, you may also be interested in... * Senator Markey Sends Automakers A Letter Criticizing Their Nonexistent Privacy Standards * Activists Call On FTC To Craft Tougher 'Right To Repair' Rules, Repairability Scoring System * Carmakers Push Forward With Plans To Make Basic Features Subscription Services, Despite Widespread Backlash * Canada Inches Closer To 'Right To Repair' Reform * Apple's '180 On Right To Repair' Was Widely Overstated * * * Rate this comment as insightful Rate this comment as funny You have rated this comment as insightful You have rated this comment as funny Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam You have flagged this comment The first word has already been claimed The last word has already been claimed Lightbulb icon Laughing icon Flag icon Lightbulb icon Laughing icon Comments on "Judge Allows Major 'Right To Repair' Lawsuit Against John Deere To Move Forward" Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment * Filter comments in by Time * Filter comments as Threaded * Filter only comments rated Insightful * Filter only comments rated funny LOL * Filter only comments that are Unread 3 Comments [f8595654ab]Pixelation says: December 8, 2023 at 12:11 pm John Deere, Run by Greed. Reply View in chronology Make this comment the first word Make this comment the last word [user-default]Beefcake (profile) says: December 8, 2023 at 1:04 pm Selling knock-off Near-Deere parts on the streets of Des Moines is a real problem though. I was visiting the other day and wondered at everyone using cutter bars with shoddy welding. Reply View in chronology Make this comment the first word Make this comment the last word [4b9906b145]N0083rp00f says: December 8, 2023 at 1:23 pm Really either make fines actually financially hurt or send the whole board out for a decade of hard labor in an Alaskan mine. Reply View in chronology Make this comment the first word Make this comment the last word --------------------------------------------------------------------- says: Add Your Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? 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