John Deere Faces New Antitrust Lawsuit Over Equipment Repair Restrictions

The complaint argues that owners of heavy machinery such as bulldozers, backhoes, skidders and other construction and forestry equipment are effectively forced to rely on Deere’s authorized dealer network for repairs and replacement parts. According to a statement contained in the lawsuit, the company restricts access to software required to diagnose and repair onboard electronic systems, limiting independent repair options.

The allegations closely resemble claims previously raised by farmers and federal regulators regarding Deere’s agricultural equipment. Critics have long argued that the manufacturer’s control over diagnostic tools and software gives its dealer network a dominant position in the repair market.

John Deere rejected the allegations and said it continues to support customers’ ability to service their equipment. “We remain committed to offering tools, resources and solutions that help customers keep their machines running safely, reliably and efficiently,” the company said in an emailed statement.

Read more: Federal Court Gives Preliminary Approval to John Deere Right-to-Repair Settlement

The company has spent years defending itself against accusations that it uses anticompetitive practices to channel repair and maintenance work for commercial equipment through authorized dealerships. While Deere has consistently denied wrongdoing, it recently agreed to pay $99 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit involving more than 200,000 owners of farm equipment.

At the same time, Deere remains engaged in discussions with the Federal Trade Commission over a separate antitrust case focused on agricultural machinery. According to court records, the company and the FTC are currently negotiating a potential settlement in that matter.

The latest lawsuit was brought by Chicago-based landscaping firm Christy Webber & Company and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Per a statement in the court filing, the proposed class action seeks damages for customers who purchased repair services and parts for Deere construction and forestry equipment during the past four years.

According to a statement in the lawsuit, previous antitrust scrutiny of Deere has largely centered on the farming sector, while similar restrictions affecting construction and forestry equipment owners have received far less attention.

“The focus of antitrust enforcement against Deere to date has concerned the agricultural community,” according to the lawsuit. “Few have noted the impact of similar anticompetitive restrictions in another massive segment of Deere’s business.”

Source: Capital Press