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 […]
SCRS Opposes Legislation to Limit Length of OEM Design Patents on Collision Repair Parts
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 […]
CAPA Applauds Introduction of Legislation Limiting OEM Collision Repair Parts Design Patents
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), the independent non-profit standard-setting and certification organization for automotive crash parts, applauded the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act, recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. “The SMART ACT is a win for consumers,” said Clark Plucinski, CAPA Chairman. “The misuse of design patents on parts […]
Legislation to Limit Length of Auto Design Patents Introduced in U.S. House of Representative
Bipartisan legislation seeks to reduce collision repair costs by limiting the length of time vehicle manufacturer exterior parts would be protected from competition. Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet in the House Judiciary Committee, announced June 1 the introduction of bipartisan legislation to limit […]
LKQ Corporation Files Lawsuit Against General Motors Seeking to Have Collision Repair Part Design Patents Ruled Invalid
Federal lawsuit alleges vehicle manufacturer is seeking to undermine aftermarket parts supplier’s business relationships and seeks to change license agreement terms. LKQ Corporation filed a lawsuit in an Illinois Federal Court seeking a judgment against General Motors over the infringement and validity of collision repair part design patents. The lawsuit, LKQ Corporation and Keystone Automotive […]
ABPA Releases Statement on Supreme Court Ruling
As CollisionWeek reported yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition by the Automotive Body Part Association (ABPA) to review a lower court ruling against the association in its design patent lawsuit against Ford. The ABPA released a statement in response to the ruling. According to the ABPA, “On March 9, 2020, the United States […]
Auto Body Parts Association to Appeal Ford Design Patent Lawsuit to U.S. Supreme Court
The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) said it is continuing its efforts to challenge the validity and enforceability of design patents directed toward automotive body repair parts. In July 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit published its public opinion rejecting arguments by the ABPA that design patents covering a hood and […]
Federal Appeals Court Rules Against ABPA in Ford Collision Repair Part Design Patent Suit
Upholds lower court finding that Ford’s design patents for the F-150 are valid and enforceable. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on July 23 published its public opinion rejecting arguments by the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) that design patents covering a hood and headlamp for the Ford F-150 are invalid. […]
Federal Court Rejects ABPA Effort to Invalidate Ford Collision Repair Body Parts Design Patent
Judge declines ABPA motion to rule Ford F-150 body part design patents invalid and unenforceable. In a decision issued February 20, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan declined a motion for summary judgement by the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) to invalidate two of Ford’s design patents covering patents for body […]
LKQ Corporation and Chrysler Sign Patent License Agreement, End Lawsuit
Agreement brings end to lawsuit filed by Chrysler in January. LKQ Corporation announced it has entered into a Patent License Agreement with Chrysler Group LLC that grants LKQ a license under certain Chrysler design patents in connection with LKQ’s distribution and sale of aftermarket collision parts in the United States. As part of the agreement, […]