Press Releases
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
For Immediate Release
Quality Parts Coalition's Executive Director Addresses Need for Auto "Repair Clause" in Economic Downturn
Eileen A. Sottile Kicks Off NACE 2008 with Media Availability
As Wall Street turmoil forces Main Street consumers to delay, or even forgo, much-needed repairs, the Quality Parts Coalition and its diverse membership continues to urge Congress to enact an automotive repair clause. This important legislation would ensure the independent collision parts industry continues to flourish and grant Americans a yearly savings of $1.5 billion.
In recent years, the number of design patents awarded to the major car companies has dramatically increased. Crash parts currently account for 50 to 93 percent of the U.S. design patents awarded to the car companies. In May 2008, Ford Global Technologies filed a Section 337 complaint at the International Trade Commission (ITC) against manufacturers and U.S. distributors of auto exterior repair parts for the 2005 Ford Mustang. This follows a 2005 ITC complaint—currently under appeal—that removes competition for the nearly 2 million Ford F-150 drivers on America's roads when they need seven collision parts on their 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 F-150s.
The increasing practice of obtaining design patents on crash parts, and the attempts to enforce those patents in the ITC, reveal the car companies' strategy to use design patents not for the important and legitimate protection of the overall design of vehicles, but to prevent competition for purposes of profit. Without a permanent legislative solution, design patent cases could eliminate the entire crash parts industry, and adversely impact independent repairers.
WHAT:
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS to discuss the importance of automotive repair clause legislation to repairers and consumers, successful efforts to have legislation introduced in the 110th session of Congress, and ongoing efforts to ensure legislation is introduced and passed in the next Congressional session.
WHO:
EILEEN A. SOTTILE, Quality Parts Coalition Executive Director
WHEN:
Ms. Sottile is available for interviews throughout the conference and exhibition. To schedule a time to speak with Ms. Sottile about the critical need for a "repair clause," please contact Katie Varn via email at hudson@qualitypartscoalition.com or 800-353-1274.
For additional information, please visit www.qualitypartscoalition.com.
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The Quality Parts Coalition represents the interests of the independent parts industry, repairers, insurers, consumers and seniors. It is the goal of the Quality Parts Coalition to develop and secure a permanent legislative change to U.S. design patent law to preserve competition and to protect the consumer's right to benefit from quality, lower-cost alternative replacement parts.