FARM Act

The "Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance Act" (FARM Act) mandates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) provide farm equipment owners and independent repair providers with necessary documentation, parts, software, firmware, tools, and farm equipment data. These resources must be made available on fair and reasonable terms, ensuring individuals and businesses can diagnose, maintain, and repair their equipment. The bill aims to reduce reliance on authorized repair providers by broadening access to essential repair materials. The Act meticulously defines "fair and reasonable terms," specifying cost structures for parts, tools, and documentation, and prohibiting restrictive conditions that hinder independent repair. It also addresses copyright law, permitting the circumvention of technological protection measures when necessary for legitimate repair, maintenance, or interoperability. OEMs are further required to provide resources for disabling security functions for repair and ensure parts can be replaced using either commonly available tools or OEM-supplied tools. Enforcement is delegated to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with violations treated as unfair or deceptive practices. OEMs are subject to civil penalties, escalating for repeat offenses, if they cease offering required resources. The Act includes important limitations, safeguarding OEM trade secrets and explicitly prohibiting modifications that deactivate safety systems or violate environmental regulations.