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 […]
U.S. Senator Reiterates Call to Investigate Auto Insurance “Scheme”
A frequent critic of both insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers, U.S. Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut asks Attorney General to investigate possible illegal practices by auto insurers. Asks for DOJ update on 1963 Consent Decree’s applicability to today’s marketplace. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal announced yesterday that he sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging […]
Collision Repairers File 2nd Amended Complaint in Antitrust Suit against Auto Insurers
As expected, collision repairers have filed another amended complaint seeking to address concerns that led Judge to dismiss the case for a second time last month. Collision repair facility operators in Florida have filed a second amended complaint in their suit brought against more than 30 insurance companies. As CollisionWeek reported January 23, U.S. District […]
Antitrust Suits against Auto Insurers Suffer Setback
U.S. District Judge finds problems with the complaint brought by collision repair facilities alleging antitrust violations. Allows plaintiffs until February 10 to amend complaint on six of seven counts. 1963 Consent Decree found not to apply to current case. In an amended order issued yesterday, U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has dismissed without prejudice […]
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Who Helped Overturn Aftermarket Parts Verdict against State Farm at Center of Election Controversy Again
Effort to get Justice Lloyd Karmeier voted off the court gains the financial support of Plaintiff Attorneys who could gain from reinstatement of judgments in class-action lawsuits. Donations in the election of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier are again making headlines. This time, however, plaintiff attorneys were reported this week to have made large […]
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, […]
ABPA Files Lawsuit Seeking to Overturn Ford Design Patents
Seeks to have body repair part design patents ruled invalid. Alleges Ford uses patents to limit distribution and increase cost of repair parts. On November 25, the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Ford Global Technologies, LLC that seeks to […]
Allstate Loses Court Appeal to Strike State Insurer-Owned Shop Ban
Judges affirm earlier decision that Texas law banning insurer-owned shops should stand. The U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, New Orleans, has affirmed an earlier court’s decision that ruled it is legal for a state to ban insurance company ownership of collision repair facilities. In the initial 2006 decision, a U.S. District Court in Dallas […]
Ford Files Suit to Halt U.S. Import of Aftermarket Crash Parts
Ford has filed suit with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) claiming that certain aftermarket parts violate patents held by the automaker. Ford claims that certain parts designed for use on the F-150 infringe on its patents and the automaker has requested that the ITC issue a cease and desist order to stop importation of […]
Massachusetts Court Upholds Shop’s Right to a Reasonable Labor Rate
In what is believed to be the first court ruling in Massachusetts where a court upheld in a first party claim the right of a policyholder to be paid a labor rate other than what the insurer set, District Court Judge Paul V. Buckley, Jr. ruled that Arbella Mutual Insurance Company must pay its insured […]