Farming giant John Deere has handed over a hefty $99 million settlement to its irate customers, after being accused of monopolizing repair services. The payout aims to appease farmers who claim the company’s strict rules on accessing repair tools amounted to an unlawful monopoly.

While the money will be dispersed among 200,000 farmers, the real impact could lie in John Deere making repair tools more widely available for a decade. However, advocates remain skeptical, pointing out that past promises have not always been kept by the company.

The case has sparked a broader right-to-repair movement, with local laws and hacktivist efforts pushing back against manufacturers like Deere. Critics argue that companies should respect ownership rights post-sale, rather than controlling how and when repairs are made.

John Deere has defended its stance, stating that it is aligned with farmers and wants them to fix their equipment themselves. But with a history of broken promises, the company faces continued scrutiny from those advocating for more equitable repair practices.