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You are here: Home / Archives for Design Patents

European Council Gives Final Approval for Repair Clause Addition to Design Protection Legislation

October 25, 2024 By CollisionWeek Editor

Legislation provides an exemption from design protection regulations for some car parts used for repair in the 27 countries in the European Union. The European Council adopted the two legislative acts on October 10 that revised its directive on the legal protection of designs and the amended regulation on community designs. The texts adopted update […]

Filed Under: Feature Tagged With: CAR Council, Design Patents, European Campaign for the Freedom of the Automotive Parts and Repair Market, European Union, International Federation of Automotive Distributors, legislation

Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of LKQ in Design Patent Case Against GM

May 22, 2024 By CollisionWeek Editor

In a precedential decision, the full court overturned a common test for determining obviousness of a design patent. Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) ruled in favor of an appeal by LKQ Corporation in a case over a design patent held by General Motors (GM) on a 2018-1022 Chevrolet Equinox […]

Filed Under: Feature Tagged With: Design Patents, General Motors, Lawsuits, LKQ Corporation

Utah Collision Repair Facility Owner Supports Federal Design Patent Reform in CAR Coalition Video

April 23, 2024 By CollisionWeek Editor

In a new video from the CAR Coalition, independent collision repair facility owner Greg Southwick, from Falcon Collision and Customs in Grantsville, Utah, explains the real-life impacts of vehicle manufacturer design patents, underscoring his support for federal right to repair solutions. In the video embedded above, Southwick describes a recent challenge replacing a truck hood […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CAR Coalition, Design Patents, legislation, Non-OEM Parts, U.S. House of Representatives

White Paper Examines Impact of OEM Collision Repair Part Design Patents on Consumers, Industry and Environment

April 25, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Some patented crash parts cost more than twice comparable, non-patented parts due to OEM “Backdoor Monopoly” according to the paper. A new white paper examines how automotive OEM design patents impact consumers, local economies, and the environment. Blaire O’Neal, PhD, a researcher and consultant who specializes in issues around social justice and technology, released the […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Design Patents, Diamond Standard, Non-OEM Parts, OEM Parts

Group of 28 Attorneys General Urge Congress to Pass Right to Repair Legislation

March 28, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Letter urges passage of federal right to repair and design patent legislation to preserve competition in vehicle, farm and digital equipment service and repair. A group of 28 bipartisan state and territory attorneys general, representing states from Maine to Alaska, signaled their support for consumers’ right to repair the items they purchase – including automobiles, […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Attorney General, Design Patents, legislation, Right to Repair

Insurance Association Hails Federal Legislation to Preserve Competition in Collision Repair Parts Market

March 27, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Legislation to preserve competition in the marketplace for aftermarket auto parts will help keep repair costs low by promoting consumer choice, according to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). The Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation, or SMART Act, which was reintroduced last week, would limit the design patent on an auto repair […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Aftermarket Parts, Design Patents, legislation, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, U.S. House of Representatives

Legislation to Limit Length of Automotive Design Patents Re-Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives

March 23, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Bill seeks to reduce collision repair costs by limiting the length of time vehicle manufacturer exterior parts would be protected from competition. The Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act was reintroduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill proposes to reduce the length of time exterior collision repair parts are protected […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Collision Repair Parts, Design Patents, legislation, U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. International Trade Commission Launches Investigation into Aftermarket Lamps Patent Infringement

January 20, 2022 By CollisionWeek Editor

Following complaints from Hyundai and Kia, the Commission launches two Section 337 investigations into aftermarket lamps that vehicle manufacturers say violate their patents The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute two Section 337 investigations into aftermarket replacement automotive lamps. The investigations are based on complaints filed by Kia Corporation, of Seoul, Republic […]

Filed Under: Feature Tagged With: Design Patents, Hyundai, Keystone, Kia, Lawsuits, LKQ Corporation, TYC Brother Industrial Co., TYC Genera, U.S. International Trade Commission

CAR Coalition Survey Says 78% of Vehicle-Owning Voters Support Federal Right to Repair Legislation

November 17, 2021 By CollisionWeek Editor

According to new study, consumers opposed to vehicle manufacturers’ use of design patents to restrict options for common repair parts, like bumpers and side mirrors. The CAR Coalition, a group of independent automotive parts and repair companies, associations, and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, has released a national survey of […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CAR Coalition, Design Patents, legislation, Right to Repair, U.S. House of Representatives

SCRS Opposes Legislation to Limit Length of OEM Design Patents on Collision Repair Parts

August 10, 2021 By CollisionWeek Editor

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced it objects to the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act that was introduced in June seeking to limit vehicle manufacturer design patents for collision repair parts. According to a press release, “The small businesses we represent want to perform safe and proper repairs, that allow […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Design Patents, legislation, Non-OEM Parts, OEM Parts, Society of Collision Repair Specialists, U.S. House of Representatives

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