National and state-level farmers union groups filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday, alleging John Deere is violating the Sherman Act in withholding diagnostic software and other equipment from its customers. Nebraska Farmers Union has signed on and President John Hansen details the allegations.
The petition claims Deere is the dominant force in the $68 billion U.S. agricultural equipment market, controlling over 50% of the market for large tractors and combines. Hansen says John Deere has a monopoly.
The petitioners requested the FTC investigate the repair restrictions Deere and Company has imposed that prevent farmers and ranchers from repairing their own Deere equipment or obtaining repairs from independent repair providers. Hansen says this represents unfair and deceptive trade practicing and they are asking for relief.
The FTC complaint was filed by the National Farmers Union, as well as state groups in Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin.
Other groups that have signed on include Farm Action, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Digital Right to Repair Coalition and iFixit.
