The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which will allow farmers to use official diagnostics, manuals, tools and training. Additionally, Deere will not require the use of authorized parts and service centers, and will not disable electronic locks on their equipment.
The agreement does come with some limitations for the farmers. John Deere will not be required to "divulge trade secrets," or to allow repairs that might disable emissions controls, remove safety features or modify power levels. Furthermore, repairs must not violate the law.
This agreement was reached as a result of growing political pressure on the company. President Biden ordered the Federal Trade Commission to draft right to repair regulations in 2021, while some states have passed their own legislation on the matter. By not complying with these regulations, Deere would have faced legal battles that could have limited its operations in the country.
Other tech brands such as Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft, have already implemented do-it-yourself repair programs and offers, on the same line. The memorandum is effective as of January 8th, but John Deere did not give any specific details on how or when the changes would take effect.
Source: Engadget
