Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1541014
IDA Universal Aug - Sept 2025 29 The John Deere Litigation dent service providers. The report urged Congress to strengthen enforcement tools, recommended that the FTC itself prioritize right-to-re- pair enforcement, laying the groundwork for the agency's current efforts to break OEM repair monopolies.The pend- ing lawsuits against John Deere have become the defining battleground for the right to repair move- ment in the agricultural and heavy-equipment sectors. The dual proceedings—a federal enforcement action by the Federal Trade Com- mission (FTC) and sev- eral states and a separate private class action brought by farmers—allege that Deere unlawfully monopo- lized the repair and main- tenance market for its own equipment by locking up critical software, diagnostic tools, and parts. The FTC's complaint, filed in February 2025, asserts that Deere has maintained an unlawful monopoly over repair tools and software for agricultural machinery. The complaint highlights Deere's "steering practic- es" (directing customers to authorized dealers through digital restrictions), limits that Deere has placed on its proprietary Service ADVISOR diagnostic platform, which inde- pendent repairers cannot fully access, and the use of encryption and embed- ded software locks that prevent legitimate repairs outside of the Deere dealer network. The Commis- sion seeks FRAND-style relief—requiring Deere to provide all essential repair tools, software, and technical information on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms, similar to remedies used in the telecommunications industry. Parallel to the govern- ment case, the earlier farmer class action was filed by equipment owners and independent repair shops seeking monetary damages for overcharg- es and lost productivity resulting from Deere's alleged conduct. The plain- tiffs claim Deere's digital restrictions force them to use authorized dealers at inflated rates and prevent them from performing even routine maintenance without paying for OEM service. The cases have already produced notable victories for enforcement advocates. The federal court denied Deere's motion for judg- ment on the pleadings in November 2023, allowing the class claims to proceed to discovery. And in June 2025, the court denied Deere's motion to dismiss the FTC action, rejecting arguments that the com- pany's repair restrictions were justified by safety or cybersecurity concerns and affirming the agency's core antitrust claims. In August 2025, the court or- dered discovery of Deere's internal dealer profitability data, giving regulators and plaintiffs access to records that may reveal how repair restrictions reinforce mar- ket control. Together, these proceed- ings mark a turning point: for the first time, both pri- vate litigants and the feder- al government are pursuing comprehensive remedies to open digital repair markets in the agricultural sector. Their success—or failure— will likely determine the boundaries of repair rights across the broader heavy duty and commercial vehicle industries. Story Continued on Pg.30 John Deere Case Milestones The Deere case has become the defining battle for the right to repair in the heavy-equipment sector, reshaping antitrust and aftermarket law. The Regulatory and Litigation Landscape November 2023 Court Denies Motion for Judgement The federal court denied Deere's motion for judg- ment on the pleadings, Allowing Class Claims to Proceed to Discovery June 2025 FTC Action Moves Forward Court denies Deere's motion to dismiss the FTC Case, Affirming that repair restrictions may violate antitrust law. August 2025 Dealer Profitability Data Unsealed the court ordered discovery of Deere's internal dealer profitability data, giving regulators and plaintiffs access to records that may reveal how repair restric- tions reinforce market control.