"Plaintiffs argue these authorized dealers charge artificially inflated prices, in turn harming farmers' incomes. John Deere has agreed to the preliminary settlement, which is still subject to a fairness assessment and final approval."
"If the settlement receives court approval, the $99 million, plus interest, will be distributed to class members based on total labor hours spent on repairs since January 10, 2018."
"Crucially, it would also require John Deere to make available the software and diagnostic tools needed for farmers to make their own repairs or seek analogous services from independent repair providers at competitive prices."
John Deere has agreed to a proposed $99 million settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning its maintenance rules that restrict farmers' ability to repair their own equipment. The lawsuit claims that farmers are forced to use John Deere-approved specialists, leading to inflated repair costs. The settlement, pending court approval, would require John Deere to provide necessary software for independent repairs and ensure access to repair resources. It also includes provisions for offline reprogramming and diagnostic functions by 2026.
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