Colo. enacts nation’s first ‘right to repair’ law, allows farmers to fix own equipment

KARAH RUCKER: COLORADO HAS BECOME THE FIRST STATE TO PASS WHAT’S CALLED “A RIGHT TO REPAIR” LAW – THAT ALLOWS FARMERS TO FIX THEIR OWN TRACTORS AND COMBINES – SOMETHING MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF MONOPOLIZING BY ONLY OFFERING REPAIRS THROUGH THEM.

THE COLORADO LAW BREAKS THAT UP. HELPING FARMERS IN THE STATE SAVE ON VALUABLE TIME AND MONEY. WHEN EQUIPMENT BREAKS DOWN – OFTEN TIMES FARMERS HAVE TO WAIT ON THE MANUFACTURER FOR WEEKS IN ORDER TO GET A REPAIR MADE.

THIS LAW COMPELS MANUFACTURERS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY MANUALS, TOOLS, PARTS, AND SOFTWARE, FOR A FARMER OR A TECHNICIAN TO MAKE A  FIX THEMSELVES — RATHER THAN SOLELY RELYING ON THE COMPANY.

IT’S BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR FARMERS – TAKING BACK CONTROL. IN JANUARY – JOHN DEERE – THE BEST-SELLING TRACTOR BRAND IN THE U.S. – MADE A DEAL WITH THE FARM BUREAU FEDERATION TO GIVE THEIR CUSTOMERS THE “RIGHT TO REPAIR.”

THE AGREEMENT MEANT JOHN DEERE WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS WHO NEED TO FIX EQUIPMENT RATHER THAN ONLY HAVING JOHN DEERE TO GO THROUGH.

THE AGREEMENT WAS MEANT TO HELP FARMERS THROUGH THE PRIVATE SECTOR – RATHER THAN THROUGH LEGISLATION OR REGULATION.

BUT COLORADO WANTS TO FURTHER ENFORCE “RIGHT TO REPAIR” FOR OTHER MANUFACTURERS.

MANUFACTURERS HAVE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE LEGISLATION. CONCERNED THAT FARMERS’ SAFETY COULD BE AT RISK BY TAMPERING WITH THE MECHANICS – AND THAT IT COULD EXPOSE A BUSINESS’ TRADE SECRETS AND SOFTWARE FOR OTHERS TO STEAL.

COLORADO TOOK THE FIRST STEP TO FREE UP THE REPAIR MARKET – SEEN AS A MAJOR WIN FOR FARMERS – AND AT LEAST TEN OTHER STATES ARE CONSIDERING SIMILAR LEGISLATION.