AP: John Deere settles "right to repair" suit for $99M + comments
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Deere & Co agrees to pay $99 million to settle ‘right to repair’ lawsuit
A person walks on an X9 1100 combine at the John Deere booth during the CES tech show, Jan. 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Updated 12:04 PM EDT, April 7, 2026
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NEW YORK (AP) — Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million as part of a settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipment giant of monopolizing repair services.
The Moline, Illinois-based manufacturer, which does business under the John Deere brand, has faced a handful of “right to repair” complaints over the years. The deal announced Monday — which still needs final approval from the court — would settle a 2022 lawsuit that accused the company of withholding repair software and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for repairs, when they could otherwise fix tractors and other equipment themselves or use independent alternatives.
The plaintiffs alleged that meant Deere and its dealers could charge higher, “supracompetitive” prices and reap benefits from an “unlawfully restrained” market, per court filings.
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Grantham-Philips is a business reporter who covers trending news for The Associated Press. She is based in New York.
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- Comment by Reuelz.
Re
Reuelz1 hr ago
This is a complicated topic, not just the 'right' to turn a wrench on your tractor or avoiding big companies charging exorbitant repair prices. The schematics and software required to repair modern machines contain information that competitors can use unfairly to steal intellectual property and processes. Such information can also be used inappropriately, opening the company to damage and injury claims. Reasonable people, hopefully the majority, should be able to find a fair middle ground.
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- Reply by DeusEx.
De
DeusEx34 min ago
Reply to Reuelz
Oh f off with this bs...it's farm equipment. Not some insanely high tech invention.
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- Comment by twschafer.
tw
twschafer13 hrs ago
A stupid move by Deere & Co. because soon after this development and the way more expensive repair costs, many farmers simply sold their Deere equipment and went with other brands. Why this isn't part of the story is a mystery. Also, no mention how or if Deere & Co. will be forced to cease the unjust cost. I wonder how much AI was involved with this story?
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- Reply by ytags.
yt
ytags12 hrs ago
Reply to twschafer
Sixth paragraph: "The company also agreed to additional injunctive relief, aimed at strengthening the availability of repair resources and things like diagnostic checks."
I'm assuming repair resources refers to parts and diagnostic checks refers to the software, but I could be wrong.
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- Comment by jondough54.
jo
jondough5414 hrs ago
Not sure this says farmers get access to the software needed for diagnostics and repair. Need clarification.
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- Reply by ytags.
yt
ytags12 hrs ago
Reply to jondough54
Sixth paragraph: "The company also agreed to additional injunctive relief, aimed at strengthening the availability of repair resources and things like diagnostic checks."
I'm assuming repair resources refers to parts and diagnostic checks refers to the software, but I could be wrong.
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- Comment by RDubYa.
RD
RDubYa14 hrs ago
Caterpillar should be next.
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