Ferguson alleges Deere unlawfully maintained monopoly power in repair services by withholding repair capabilities from farmers.
“By withholding these repair capabilities, the complaint alleged Deere unlawfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in markets for repair services for Deere farm equipment.”
Ferguson states Deere exclusively controls software repair tools and previously restricted them to authorized dealers only.
“Deere makes the only software repair tools capable of performing all electronic repairs on Deere equipment. Deere, however, has previously made such tools available only to its authorized dealers,”
Ferguson connects the Deere settlement to broader FTC efforts against anticompetitive repair restrictions and cost reduction.
““The settlement with Deere will help lower costs for American farmers. The FTC will continue fighting against anticompetitive restrictions on American consumers’ right to repair.””
Ferguson tells antitrust experts not to fall for groupthink of establishment, saying self-appointed experts are normally wrong
“And here’s a note to all the so-called antitrust experts who doubted our decision to ask for a permanent injunction rather than using our administrative tribunal. Don’t fall for the group think of the antitrust establishment. The experts are self-appointed and normally wrong.”
Ferguson tells antitrust experts not to fall for groupthink of establishment, saying self-appointed experts are normally wrong
“And here’s a note to all the so-called antitrust experts who doubted our decision to ask for a permanent injunction rather than using our administrative tribunal. Don’t fall for the group think of the antitrust establishment. The experts are self-appointed and normally wrong.”