John Deere agrees to $99M right-to-repair settlement

John Deere agreed to pay $99 million into a settlement fund to resolve a class action lawsuit filed by farmers over equipment repair restrictions. The lawsuit, initiated in 2022, alleged that Deere violated antitrust laws by limiting access to software tools needed for repairs. Farmers claimed the restrictions forced them to rely on authorized dealerships, increasing costs and downtime during critical planting and harvest periods. The settlement marks a significant development in the broader right-to-repair movement, which has gained traction across consumer electronics, automotive, and agricultural equipment sectors. Deere, the world's largest agricultural equipment manufacturer, has faced increasing regulatory pressure on repair issues, including a Federal Trade Commission investigation and legislative efforts in multiple states.