It’s a good thing it’s hunting season, because the Federal Trade Commission has a big Deere in its sights. The FTC filed suit this week, riding on the back of Right to Repair and accusing John Deere of maintaining a repair monopoly.
FTC’s beef: The federal lawsuit claims that Deere illegally forced farmers into using authorized dealers for repairs and withholding repair software. Authorized dealers may charge more and take longer to complete repairs.
Soundbite: “The FTC’s action today seeks to ensure that farmers across America are free to repair their own equipment or use repair shops of their choice—lowering costs, preventing ruinous delays, and promoting fair competition for independent repair shops.” — FTC Chair Lina Khan
Deere downplay: Deere says the FTC suit is built on “flagrant misrepresentations of the facts and fatally flawed legal theories and it punishes innovation and procompetitive product design.” The company pointed to its dedication to self-repair through manuals and Customer Service ADVISOR. It’s also testing a pilot program that aims to add to farmers’ repair options.
Where this goes: John Deere has the right to contest the charges before the FTC issues a final order. The agency has requested an injunction.
However, Republican Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, who is Trump’s pick to be the new FTC Chair, voted against suing Deere. He wrote that the timing of the case felt partisan and there was a lack of evidence to be confident in the success of the litigation. Time will tell how the complaint will be impacted by the swaps at the top.