by 
Attorney General Dana Nessel joins FTC and four states in a legal battle against Deere & Company, accusing the manufacturer of monopolizing agricultural equipment repairs.
Michigan Joins Lawsuit Against Deere’s Alleged Repair Monopoly in Federal Case
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a lawsuit against Deere & Company (NYSE: DE), alleging the agricultural equipment giant has unlawfully monopolized critical segments of the farm equipment repair industry. The lawsuit, filed in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and attorneys general from Arizona, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin, claims that Deere’s practices violate Michigan’s Antitrust Reform Act and constitute unfair competition.
Nessel: Farmers Deserve Fair and Affordable Repair Options
AG Nessel criticized Deere’s restrictive repair policies, arguing they harm Michigan farmers by limiting repair options and increasing costs.
“Deere has deliberately designed a system that forces Michigan farmers to depend on the company to fix essential equipment,” Nessel stated. “By illegally restricting access to necessary tools and software, Deere drives up costs for farmers and consumers to boost its own profits“
Nessel emphasized that farmers need access to affordable and timely repairs, not corporate-imposed restrictions that delay operations and inflate costs. She reaffirmed Michigan’s commitment to combating monopolistic practices that harm the state’s agricultural sector.
Lawsuit Alleges Deere Restricts Access to Essential Repair Tools
The lawsuit alleges that Deere unfairly restricts independent repair providers (IRPs) from servicing its equipment, effectively forcing farmers to rely on Deere-authorized dealers. According to the complaint:
- Deere’s equipment requires proprietary software to diagnose and repair electronic malfunctions.
- The company denies access to these tools for farmers and independent repair shops.
- Farmers face higher repair costs and longer service delays as a result of this policy.
The legal action argues that Deere’s tactics create an artificial monopoly over the repair sector, inflating costs and reducing consumer choice in the farming community.
Michigan’s Legal Action Aligns with National Antitrust Efforts
The lawsuit, originally filed last month by the FTC, Illinois, and Minnesota, aims to halt Deere’s alleged anti-competitive practices. The case reflects a growing movement to enforce “right to repair” laws across the United States, ensuring that consumers and businesses can fix their own equipment without undue corporate interference.
“Illegal repair restrictions can be devastating for farmers, who rely on affordable and timely repairs to harvest their crops and earn their income,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “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.”
The Michigan Antitrust Reform Act prohibits companies from using monopolistic power to control markets unfairly. Nessel’s office argues that Deere’s practices violate state and federal laws by restricting access to essential repair services, unfairly benefiting its network of authorized dealers.
Farmers and Repair Advocates Applaud the Lawsuit Against Deere
Michigan’s farming community and right-to-repair advocates have long expressed frustration over the limited availability of repair services for modern agricultural machinery. Farmers who rely on Deere’s equipment say that repair restrictions force them to pay excessive fees and wait weeks for service when independent technicians could offer faster and more affordable solutions.
News site Successful Farming noted that the National Farmers Union (NFU) formally expressed its endorsement of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) lawsuit subsequent to the submission of a legal complaint against Deere in 2022.
“Today’s lawsuits mark a key victory in this fight for family farmers and ranchers, recognizing that monopolies should not stop farmers from being able to repair their own equipment,” said Rob Larew, president of NFU. “When we prevail, farmers will have the power and freedom to fix their equipment faster and at a lower cost.”
Legal Experts Predict a Fierce Court Battle in Lawsuit Against Deere
Legal analysts predict Deere will fight the lawsuit aggressively, arguing that its software restrictions protect intellectual property and ensure equipment safety. However, proponents of right-to-repair laws counter that farmers should not be forced into an exclusive service model that prioritizes corporate profits over consumer rights.
“It is extremely disappointing that three Commissioners of the FTC chose to file a meritless lawsuit on the eve of the transition to a new Administration,” said Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support. “Our recent discussions with the Commission have revealed that the agency still lacked basic information about the industry and John Deere’s business practices and confirmed that the agency was instead relying on inaccurate information and assumptions.” As Commissioner Ferguson recognized, “the Commission should not expend taxpayer resources on lawsuits on the basis of an evidentiary record as underdeveloped as this one.” In fact, as recently as last week, John Deere was still receiving questions from the agency.
The outcome of the lawsuit against Deere could set a significant precedent for agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturers, shaping the future of repair access across multiple industries.
What’s Next? The Future of the Right-to-Repair Battle
The lawsuit against Deere marks another major challenge in the ongoing right-to-repair movement, which has gained traction nationwide. If successful, the legal action could force Deere and other manufacturers to provide broader access to repair tools, benefiting farmers, small businesses, and consumers alike.
As the case unfolds, Michigan’s farmers, repair advocates, and state officials will watch closely to see whether this legal challenge leads to greater repair accessibility or if corporate resistance will stall reform efforts.
Find More Interesting Feature Stories From ThumbWind
- Michigan Feature Stories – Unveiling the diverse and vibrant people, captivating places, and remarkable events that come together to make the Great Lake State unique and cherished by both residents and visitors alike.
- Weird Political News – A sarcastic take on official news from around the U.S., exploring the absurdities that often arise in the political landscape while providing a humorous perspective on current events and highlighting the quirks of politicians and policies.
- Michigan News – News and events from Michigan’s Upper Thumb region worth knowing, including local stories, impactful interviews, and updates on community happenings that shape the culture and lifestyle of the area.
Your Turn – Like This, or Loath It – We Want to Hear from You
Please offer an insightful and thoughtful comment. We review each response. Follow us to have other feature stories fill up your email box, or check us out on ThumbWind Publications.
Discover more from Thumbwind
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
