Policy Updates: John Deere agrees to $99M settlement in antitrust class-action lawsuit

John Deere agrees to $99M settlement, expands repair access in right-to-repair case (Reuters): Deere & Company (John Deere) has agreed to a $99 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit brought by U.S. farmers who alleged the company restricted access to equipment repairs and drove up service costs. The case, filed in 2022, centered on claims that Deere limited access to essential diagnostic tools and software, effectively steering farmers toward its authorized dealer network for repairs. The settlement fund will compensate farmers who paid for repairs through Deere dealers on large agricultural equipment dating back to 2018, though the agreement still requires court approval.

As part of the deal, Deere also committed to making digital repair tools available to farmers for the next 10 years, allowing them to diagnose, maintain, and repair equipment such as tractors and combines more independently. The company said the agreement resolves the claims without any admission of wrongdoing. The settlement marks a notable development in the broader “right-to-repair” debate, which has gained traction across agriculture and other industries as equipment becomes more software-dependent.

Despite the settlement, Deere continues to face separate legal pressure from regulators. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has an ongoing lawsuit alleging the company’s repair restrictions violate antitrust laws by limiting competition and increasing costs for farmers. Deere has denied those allegations as well, meaning the broader legal and policy fight over repair access in agriculture is far from settled.