The FTC’s settlement requires Deere—for the next 10 years and under the supervision of the FTC and plaintiff states—to provide farmers and independent repair providers with the same equipment repair resources, including applicable software capabilities, that it currently provides to authorized Deere dealers. FTC, States Secure Settlement with Deere & Company, Advancing Farmers’ Right to Repair | Federal Trade Commission This is good, but why are US even allowing this structure? Everyone disagrees - apart from revenue stream shareholders. Strike?
John Deere's greed literally made their 10 and 20 year old machinery more expensive on the market than their new ones. And you can mess with lots of people and get away with it. But if you prevent a farmer from getting their harvest in on time because you're trying to screw 'em over with outrageous repair costs and logistical challenges by not allowing them the right to repair what they lawfully own it's gonna be a really big can of whoop arse they open up on you. What John Deere also did was unite the Democrats and GOP against them, as well as losing in court. And that doesn't mean this is over. There's still plenty of wretched corporations following in their footsteps and some will likely get away with it.
