FTC lawsuit lingers, while encouraging signs point to Iowa bill succeeding too

Agriculture manufacturing giant John Deere has agreed to a proposed $99 million settlement following a class action lawsuit in Illinois.

One of several similar legal challenges underway across the US, the lawsuit brought against John Deere pertains to farmers' longstanding concerns over the company's rigid maintenance rules, which plaintiffs say prevent farmers from repairing their own equipment.

Customers are often forced to rely on John Deere-approved specialists – the only outfits to which the company provides crucial repair and diagnostic software.

Plaintiffs argue these authorized dealers charge artificially inflated prices, in turn harming farmers' incomes.

John Deere has agreed to the preliminary settlement, which is still subject to a fairness assessment and final approval, after initially denying the antitrust allegations first leveled against it by the class in 2022.

Settlements do not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

If the settlement receives court approval, the $99 million, plus interest, will be ...