1/9
Jason Koebler
New: The FTC has formally sued John Deere over its tractor repair monopoly, which is the strongest punitive action the federal government has ever taken against a company over restricting right to repair
FTC Sues John Deere Over Its Repair Monopoly
2/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
This is the last few days of the Biden administration so who knows what happens. Many Republicans are furious over Deere's repair monopoly too. Also notable that Minnesota and Illinois are also suing, so it's not a given that this will go away under Trump. Very notable
3/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
Deere is *also* still fighting a major class-action lawsuit from consumers over this, which the DOJ previously weighed in on and are supporting. I wrote more about that here:
The Walls Are Closing in on John Deere’s Tractor Repair Monopoly
4/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
There are also other things that have been happening that I haven't written about or had time to follow that closely:
1) National Defense Authorization bill talks about repairability re: Military, which relates in part to Deere:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4638/text
5/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
The EPA forced Deere to revise its manuals to stress repair. EPA also looking into Deere & repairability more broadly:
https://files.constantcontact.com/63400020701/bfa78700-0f65-4f17-bfc8-1a9c05916b6f.pdf?rdr=true
John Deere added repair language to manuals to meet EPA requirements, documents show
6/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has an open inquiry into its repair practices, and the undermining of a voluntary agreement Deere entered into re: repairability
Warren Says John Deere Undermining ‘Right-to-Repair’ Agreements
7/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
To sum up, Deere is currently facing legal action or pressure regarding its repair monopolies from:
- Consumers
- FTC
- DoJ
- Military
- Congress
- EPA
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- Numerous other states re: right to repair legislation
8/9
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social
The actual lawsuit just dropped, which is available here:
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf
Really interesting stuff in here. FTC is going after Deere in part bc the repair software it offers to the public is degraded from the one Deere & dealers have, can't diagnose all problems, costs >$3k per year
9/9
crème of colon @chocklitcoloncreme.bsky.social
Farmers been crying for years! Finally! But farty-seven might have somethin to say.
To post tweets in this format, more info here: https://www.thecoli.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-for-posting-the-coli-megathread.984734/post-52211196
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