A federal judge in Illinois has given preliminary approval to a $99 million settlement that could reshape how farmers repair their own equipment, marking a significant moment in a years-long legal fight over the “right to repair” in American agriculture.
In an order issued May 18, U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston found the proposed agreement between John Deere and a class of more than 200,000 customers to be fair, clearing the way for the case to move toward final approval later this year. The settlement stems from a series of lawsuits filed in 2022 accusing the company of monopolizing repair services by restricting access to critical diagnostic software and tools.
If finalized, the agreement would establish a $99 million fund for farmers and other equipment owners who paid authorized Deere dealers for repairs on large agricultural machinery — including tractors, combines and sprayers — since January 2018. A portion of the funds will be allocated to legal fees and administrative costs, with payments to eligible claimants to follow.
The settlement also requires Deere, which is headquartered in Moline, Ill., to provide broader access to digital tools used to diagnose, maintain and repair equipment for at least the next decade — a key demand of farmers who say delays and high costs at authorized dealerships have disrupted planting and harvest schedules.
Deere has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that its repair policies are designed to ensure safety and protect complex machinery. Still, the company has taken steps in recent months to expand access to its software, including launching a subscription-based platform that offers certain self-repair capabilities.
The case is part of a broader national debate over repair restrictions as products — from smartphones to farm equipment — become increasingly dependent on proprietary software. Critics, including regulators and consumer advocates, argue that limiting access to repair tools can stifle competition and drive up costs.
That scrutiny has extended beyond agriculture. Even as Deere moves toward resolving claims brought by farmers, it faces a new class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Chicago alleging similar restrictions on lawn, turf and construction equipment. The complaint, brought by a landscaping company that services high-profile public sites, argues that customers in those sectors face the same “lock-in” effects — including higher repair bills and longer wait times — that farmers have described.
Meanwhile, a separate antitrust case brought by the Federal Trade Commission and several states — including Illinois, Arizona, Minnesota and Wisconsin — remains pending, though the parties told the court they are in advanced negotiations toward a resolution. Judge Johnston has granted a temporary pause in that case to allow talks to continue.
Under the terms of the settlement, affected customers will be notified by mail, email and public outreach campaigns. They will have until mid-September to opt out or file objections, ahead of a final fairness hearing scheduled for Oct. 29 in Rockford, Ill.
For many farmers, the outcome could carry implications far beyond compensation. At stake is not only reimbursement for past repairs, but also future control over the machines that have become indispensable — and increasingly complex — tools of modern agriculture.
