FARGO — Whether it's your phone or a big tractor, you're usually required to send it to places like Apple or John Deere to fix them if they ever break.
Complying with the letter—but not the spirit—of the law is called 'malicious compliance,' and it’s exactly what manufacturers are doing with Right to Repair. Apple, Samsung, and John Deere are front and center in this deceptive practice. For example, Apple's so-called support for Right to Repair in California comes with a major compromise, effectively killing independent repair by requiring parts to be bought directly from them. Samsung, once seemingly favorable to Right to Repair, now limits part sales and enforces monopolistic agreements. And John Deere? They're dodging legislation through agreements that restrict farmers' access to essential diagnostic software. This article dives deep into these practices, revealing how big companies are twisting laws to stifle competition and maintain their repair monopolies.