Agriculture equipment giant Deere must face a lawsuit by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission accusing the company of forcing farmers to use its authorized dealer network and driving up their costs for parts and repairs, a U.S. judge has ruled.

Suite alleges Deere violated U.S. antitrust laws by controlling too tightly where and how farmers could repair equipment
Farm equipment brands should be proactive about allowing controlled CPU access, security expert says
Feds to call for owners to be able to repair their own equipment
Firms join Deere, CNH in pacts with Farm Bureau
This would empower consumers, support competition and benefit the environment
Bills introduced in 16 states
This fight between farmers and machinery giants is just getting started
Manufacturers fear safety, emissions systems could be overridden