John Deere: Difference between revisions
I've compressed together the consumer impact summary to create more cohesion and tie it to the monopoly on repairs theme, and also merged tractor hacking into this. I believe completeness and brevity should always go together. |
m Bullet list format in Monopoly on repairs section to increase clarity and separation between issues. |
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[[File:John deere doc.png|thumb|524x524px|Front Page of the FTC's Suit Against John Deere<ref name="DCRCCN325">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS WESTERN DIVISION] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221171915/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf Archived])</ref>]] | [[File:John deere doc.png|thumb|524x524px|Front Page of the FTC's Suit Against John Deere<ref name="DCRCCN325">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS WESTERN DIVISION] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221171915/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf Archived])</ref>]] | ||
=== Repairability === | ===Repairability=== | ||
Access to essential repair software and diagnostic tools is reportedly limited by John Deere.<ref name="dith3">{{Cite web |date=5 Feb 2021 |title=Deere in the Headlights |url=https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404124159/https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> Such restrictive policies can hinder farmers from performing repairs independently or utilizing independent repair shops, thereby necessitating reliance on authorized dealerships.<ref name="jdflrtrt" /> | Access to essential repair software and diagnostic tools is reportedly limited by John Deere.<ref name="dith3">{{Cite web |date=5 Feb 2021 |title=Deere in the Headlights |url=https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404124159/https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> Such restrictive policies can hinder farmers from performing repairs independently or utilizing independent repair shops, thereby necessitating reliance on authorized dealerships.<ref name="jdflrtrt" /> | ||
====Monopoly on repairs==== | ====Monopoly on repairs==== | ||
Farmers have reported that without access to John Deere's proprietary tools, they're unable to address certain mechanical issues, even minor ones.<ref name="fssdcp">{{Cite web |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC, States Sue Deere & Company to Protect Farmers from Unfair Corporate Tactics, High Repair Costs |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429162248/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |archive-date=29 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref> There are measures in place that prevent independent repair technicians from completing repair,<ref name="dith3" /> such as [[Digital rights management| | Farmers have reported that without access to John Deere's proprietary tools, they're unable to address certain mechanical issues, even minor ones.<ref name="fssdcp">{{Cite web |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC, States Sue Deere & Company to Protect Farmers from Unfair Corporate Tactics, High Repair Costs |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429162248/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |archive-date=29 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref> There are measures in place that prevent independent repair technicians from completing repair,<ref name="dith3" /> such as: | ||
* [[Digital rights management|Software locks]] that control user autonomy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Reilly |first=Kevin |date=18 Jul 2023 |title=Service Obstructor: John Deere software restricts farmer repair |url=https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622174115/https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/ |archive-date=22 June 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> | |||
* Requiring access to proprietary software.<ref name="fssdcp" /> | |||
* Controlling access to repair resources and parts.<ref name="fssdcp" /> | |||
Through eliminating competition in the repair market, John Deere has allegedly unlawfully inflated repair cost.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrnes |first=Dave |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC accuses John Deere of unlawful equipment repair practices |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427213734/https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/ |archive-date=27 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref> Mechanics and technicians are reportedly buying pirated John Deere firmware online to repair consumer tractors, at the risk of being scammed or clicking sketchy links.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=21 Mar 2017 |title=Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware/? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404160107/https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref> | |||
====Opposition to right-to-repair legislation==== | ====Opposition to right-to-repair legislation==== | ||