Support for federal legislation climbs to 83% from 75% in 2023 survey. Support for federal vehicle right-to-repair legislation has increased among Americans, with 83% backing the REPAIR Act compared to 75% in a 2023 poll, according to a new survey released by the CAR Coalition. The poll, conducted June 8-10 by The Tarrance Group among […]
European Council Gives Final Approval for Repair Clause Addition to Design Protection Legislation
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 […]
Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of LKQ in Design Patent Case Against GM
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 […]
Utah Collision Repair Facility Owner Supports Federal Design Patent Reform in CAR Coalition Video
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 […]
White Paper Examines Impact of OEM Collision Repair Part Design Patents on Consumers, Industry and Environment
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 […]
Group of 28 Attorneys General Urge Congress to Pass Right to Repair Legislation
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, […]
Insurance Association Hails Federal Legislation to Preserve Competition in Collision Repair Parts Market
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 […]
Legislation to Limit Length of Automotive Design Patents Re-Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives
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 […]
U.S. International Trade Commission Launches Investigation into Aftermarket Lamps Patent Infringement
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 […]
CAR Coalition Survey Says 78% of Vehicle-Owning Voters Support Federal Right to Repair Legislation
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 […]