WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) has announced its enthusiastic support
for collision repair parts legislation introduced today by U.S. House
Judiciary Committee Members Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren
(D-Calif.). The QPC urges quick passage of the bill by the House
Judiciary Committee in early 2012 and is looking forward to working with
members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to introduce a companion
bill very soon.

The new House bill – Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales
(PARTS) Act – would amend title 35 of current U.S. design patent law,
reducing from 14 to 2.5 years the period during which car companies can
enforce their design patents on collision repair parts against
alternative suppliers. The period for such enforcement would begin upon
the first offer for sale of the car model containing the design patented
part in any country. This amendment would enable relatively quick access
to affordable substitutions for American car owners. Australia and a
number of European countries have already passed similar repair clause
laws.

“The Quality Parts Coalition praises U.S. Representatives Issa and
Lofgren for their leadership in protecting the rights of American
drivers,” said Eileen Sottile, executive director of the QPC. “We urge
Congress to pass this bill so that consumers can continue to have access
to affordable, quality alternative replacement parts.”

American consumers have benefited from the availability of quality,
lower-cost alternative auto replacement parts to repair their damaged
vehicles for more than 60 years. On average, competition in the
collision parts industry saves consumers approximately $1.5 billion a
year, according to economists at the Microeconomic Consulting & Research
Associates. But car companies, which control more than 72 percent of the
market, are trying to block competition. They are getting and enforcing
design patents against the alternative collision parts industry – at the
expense of consumers and businesses. If they succeed, American car
owners will be left with very limited options and added costs and
insurance premiums when repairing their vehicles.

If Congress does not act, many older and lower-income Americans will
also end up paying higher prices for parts and insurance premiums or
will forgo repairing their vehicles all together. In some cases, the
higher cost would lead to insurance companies declaring more damaged
vehicles as “total wrecks.” As a result, these consumers may be forced
to replace a repairable vehicle with a new car – a purchase that for
many is not feasible.

Tomorrow, the QPC will launch a “Write Congress” widget on its website
– powered by award-winning e-advocacy company POPVOX – to encourage
consumers, seniors and industry leaders to tell Congress they support
this bill.

ABOUT THE QPC

The Quality Parts Coalition represents the interests of the independent
parts industry, repairers, insurers, consumers and seniors. The goal of
the Quality Parts Coalition is to develop and secure a permanent
legislative change to U.S. design patent law to protect the consumer’s
right to benefit from quality, lower-cost alternative replacement parts
and to preserve competition. For more information, visit www.KeepAutoPartsAffordable.org.