LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has teamed up with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and attorneys general from four other states to file a lawsuit against Deere & Company. The legal action accuses the agricultural equipment giant of unlawfully monopolizing critical segments of the farming machinery market and engaging in unfair business practices.
According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, the lawsuit alleges that Deere has imposed restrictions preventing farmers and independent repair providers (IRPs) from performing essential repairs on its equipment. These actions have forced farmers to rely solely on Deere’s authorized dealers for repairs, even though independent providers could offer more affordable and timely alternatives.
One of the key issues in the case centers around Deere’s control over specialized software required for diagnosing and repairing electronic malfunctions in its machinery. The company is said to restrict access to this software, further cementing its dominance in the repair market.
The complaint asserts that by limiting access to repair tools and services, Deere has inflated repair costs and caused unnecessary delays for farmers. These practices are alleged to undermine the ability of farmers to maintain their equipment efficiently, potentially jeopardizing their productivity during critical agricultural seasons.
Attorney General Nessel expressed strong concerns about the impact of these practices on Michigan’s farming community. “Deere has deliberately designed a system that forces Michigan farmers to depend on the company to fix essential equipment,” she said in a statement. “By illegally restricting access to necessary tools and software, Deere drives up costs for farmers and consumers to boost its own profits. Our farmers, who help ensure we have food on our tables, deserve access to affordable and timely repairs.”
The lawsuit, which is being filed in cooperation with other state attorneys general and the FTC, seeks to address these monopolistic practices, restore fair competition, and ensure that farmers are not unduly burdened by inflated repair costs and service delays.
This legal battle highlights ongoing concerns regarding the control that major corporations can exert over repair markets, particularly in industries where equipment plays a crucial role in daily operations. If successful, the lawsuit could have broad implications for how manufacturers control access to essential repair tools and services in other sectors as well.
