Photo: Insa Osterhagen/Pixabay
by Judith Ruiz-BranchIllinois News Connection
Many states have considered so-called "right to repair" legislation, but only Colorado has passed a law specifically related to farm equipment.
CHICAGO - Some Illinois farmers say a lawsuit against equipment manufacturing titan John Deere is long overdue, and they hope the outcome is not more laws but rather, the right to repair their own equipment. The Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General from Illinois and Minnesota have sued Deere for monopoly practices they allege unfairly drive up costs and resolution times for fixing farm equipment. Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, said manufacturers use intellectual property as an excuse to not share the details of their equipment technology. "If folks could imagine being told by the manufacturer of their car, their minivan or their pickup truck that they, number one, cannot repair it on their own -- that they have to take it into the dealer and get the dealer equipment every single time and get those repairs made -- that would be outrageous," Larew contended. As a company, John Deere said it has taken a number of steps to support customers' ability to maintain their machines and called the lawsuit "baseless." Many states have considered so-called "right to repair" legislation, but only Colorado has passed a law specifically related to farm equipment. Larew noted manufacturers have long used promises or nonbinding agreements with equipment dealers to maintain their autonomy. "In those agreements, it actually prevents farmers from fighting for their right to repair, and in exchange for that they promise to do better and to grant some additional access," Larew explained. "But I think as farmers, we see this really as pretty straightforward, common sense, and we need this issue completely resolved." Larew added it is a bipartisan issue and is hopeful for a resolution, either through legal or legislative channels. President Donald Trump's new appointee for FTC chair, Andrew Ferguson, has said while he is in favor of right to repair legislation, he does not agree with the decision to file a lawsuit.
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