© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Economy

Deere Sues Company It Tried to Buy

Michelle O'Neill
/
WVIK News
John Deere planter equipped with ExactEmerge technology (file)
Company logos

John Deere is taking two companies to court, saying they are using patented inventions in their products.

Michelle O'Neill reports there 's some history among the companies involved.

This month in a Delaware federal court, Deere and Company filed a complaint against Precision Planting and its parent company, AGCO. It claims they have infringed on twelve John Deere patents.

Deere says the patents are related to technology it developed for its line of planters called, "Exact Emerge." The company claims it's been "damaged" and will continue to suffer if the infringement continues. Deere also says Precision Planting violates its patents in V-Set seed meters and Speed Tube products.

Three years ago, Deere announced it planned to buy Precision Planting from Monsanto, and another subsidiary, Climate Corporation. But Monsanto called it off about a year ago, after the US Justice Department tried to block the sale in court. The government said it would have created a monopoly in the market for high-speed precision planting systems.

Precision Planting is based in Tremont, Illinois while AGCO's North American headquarters is located in Duluth, Georgia. One of AGCO's brands is Massey-Ferguson.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
Related Content