After years of complaints about “unlawful” repairability policies, the FTC is suing tractor manufacturer Deere & Company. Repairability advocates are calling it a milestone for consumer rights.

The Federal Trade Commission and two states accuse Deere of costing farmers time and money by unfairly limiting software access and forcing the use of only authorized dealers.

Minnesota farmers who've long pushed for the right to independently repair their own agricultural equipment are celebrating a lawsuit filed against John Deere, in which the company is accused of instituting illegal repair policies that drive up costs for farmers.