Reuters reports, “The American Farm Bureau Federation and machinery manufacturer Deere & Co. signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday [Jan. 8] that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician.”
Facing probable legislation or regulation over the “right to repair” issue and many consumer lawsuits, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) may head off further action, if upheld by Deere & Co. At the heart of the issue is rights – farmers’ rights to repair versus equipment makers’ intellectual property. Deere has generally required customers to use their parts and service divisions for repairs, allowing only authorized dealers the means and tools to access and navigate the complex computerized systems of their tractors and machinery. The MOU enables independent mechanics to identify and fix problems, with access to diagnostic tools and information available “at a fair and reasonable price” via subscription or sale.
This, however, doesn’t mean “open season” on Deere equipment. The MOU says equipment owners and independent technicians cannot compromise safety measures and protocols, infringe on software modification or compromise emissions control requirements, among other things.
The MOU is effective as of Jan. 8, 2023, and can be found here in its entirety.
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