Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million as part of a settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the farm equipment giant of monopolizing repair services.
The Moline, Illinois-based manufacturer, which does business under the John Deere brand, has faced a handful of “right to repair” complaints over the years.
The deal announced Monday — which still needs final approval from the court — would settle a 2022 lawsuit that accused the company of withholding repair software and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers to use their services for repairs, when they could otherwise fix tractors and other equipment themselves or use independent alternatives.
Sooo this means fuck all, the article states that they agreed to pay the 99mil but can people finally repair their equipment or is this going to continue as is?
Edit: read another article that people still can’t repair their equipment and this settlement is just for those eligible to get some money back, there’s another lawsuit still in dispute.
Slap on the wrist and continue as normal. Maybe with a further slap in a few years but nothing more.