CBC Podcast: Why Can't I Fix My Tractor?

Oct 29, 2015
 
Down on the farm, there's a controversy brewing, because farm equipment manufacturer John Deere doesn't want farmers tinkering with the software on the farmers' own tractors. Spark contributor Sean Prpick talks to Saskatchewan farmer Chris Herrnbock, who wants to see a more flexible and farmer-friendly policy rather than a copyright crackdown.
 
 
 
This week, the US Copyright Office issued an exemption that makes it legal to diagnose, repair and "lawfully" modify vehicles, including tractors. The exemption begins a year from now. No word yet on what this means in Canada. Thanks to Spark listener David Kucher who pointed us to this helpful iFixit article explaining the changes.
 
 
 
This new copyright issue is becoming an important discussion topic with farmers.
Here is a link to a discussion forum started by Chris H.
 
 
 
Source : CBC