ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Federal Trade Commission are suing Deere & Company also known as John Deere.

The lawsuit alleges that John Deere has created a monopoly on repair services for its agricultural equipment by forcing farmers to bring their equipment to authorized dealers.

Authorized John Deere dealers are the only ones who have access to the fully functional software tool known as Service ADVISOR. The suit alleges John Deere has failed to release information needed to create a fully functioning generic repair tool for independent shops like car and truck manufacturers have.

The AG's Office says Deere's repair restrictions also allow it to reap additional profits through parts sales because authorized dealers almost always use the more expensive Deere-branded parts.

Ellison is asking the court for remedies including that Deere make its fully function repair software available to independent service providers.

LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world

From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

Gallery Credit: Nicole Caldwell

LOOK: These are the 100 best cities to raise a family

Stacker collected 2023 data from Niche to compile a list of the top 100 cities to raise a family, based on school systems, crime rates, and more.  

Gallery Credit: Emily Sherman

LOOK: Here's the signature side dish from each state

Stacker researched U.S. trends and cultural influences to determine the signature side dish from all 50 states that everyone should try once.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From Mix 94.9