Right to Repair: Victory Against Software Lock-in at John Deere

What happened?

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), together with the attorneys general of five states (Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, and Vermont), has reached a binding agreement with John Deere that forces the agricultural machinery manufacturer to share with owners and independent workshops the software and diagnostic tools needed to repair their tractors and harvesters. The agreement, reported by the Associated Press and covered by The Next Web, is the biggest triumph of the 'right to repair' movement to date in the US. It is a milestone because, for the first time, a manufacturer is forced by a federal authority to open its software ecosystem, not just to share physical parts. The case originated from complaints by farmers who reported that Deere intentionally blocked repairs through software updates, forcing them to pay for costly official services or lose functionalities if they went to independent workshops.

Why is it important?

The case goes beyond tractors. It represents a fight against 'software lock-in,' a practice by which manufacturers restrict access to code, tools, and documentation, forcing users to exclusively use their official services. This raises costs, limits competition, and generates electronic waste. The John Deere victory sets a legal precedent that could apply to other sectors such as consumer electronics, automobiles, or medical devices. According to FTC data, the cost of repairing a modern tractor can exceed $10,000 if done at an authorized dealer, while an independent workshop could do it for half. Additionally, the 'right to repair' movement has gained momentum in recent years: in 2023, the governor of Minnesota signed a state right-to-repair law, and in 2024, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Deere that now concludes with this agreement. This case is comparable to the one Apple faced in 2021, when the company agreed to provide parts and tools to independent workshops after FTC pressure, but the Deere agreement is broader because it includes access to diagnostic software and updates.

Consequences for the industry

The agreement requires John Deere to:

• Provide owners and independent workshops access to diagnostic, repair, and update software.
• Make service manuals, diagrams, and parts available.
• Not use software updates to block unauthorized repairs.

Other heavy machinery manufacturers (such as CNH Industrial or AGCO) are expected to follow suit, and pressure is likely to increase on sectors like smartphones and automobiles. The FTC has stated it will monitor compliance and could take similar actions against other companies. In the automotive sector, manufacturers like Tesla have been criticized for similar software lock-in practices; in fact, in 2023, the FTC warned automakers not to use software to restrict repair. This agreement could accelerate the adoption of federal right-to-repair legislation in the US, which is currently being debated in Congress. Additionally, it will have a global impact: the EU has already approved right-to-repair rules for appliances, and this case could influence future regulations in other countries.

What readers should know

The agreement is not a law, but a binding commitment. However, it strengthens the position of right-to-repair advocates, who have been pushing for years for manufacturers not to use software as an excuse to monopolize repairs. For farmers, it means significant savings and greater autonomy. For the tech industry, it is a warning: software lock-in is no longer a safe business strategy. The case also highlights the importance of cybersecurity: Deere argued that sharing software could expose vulnerabilities, but the FTC considered that the benefits of repair outweigh the risks, as long as adequate security measures are implemented. Ultimately, this agreement marks a before and after in the relationship between manufacturers and consumers, and lays the groundwork for a more competitive and sustainable repair market.