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IPO OPPOSES BILL THAT WOULD WEAKEN U.S. DESIGN PATENT PROTECTION FOR AUTO INDUSTRY
On February 25 a bill was reintroduced in the House and the Senate to nearly eliminate design patent protection for automobile replacement parts. House bill H.R. 1057 was introduced by Rep. DARRELL ISSA (R-Calif.) and co-sponsored by Rep. ZOE LOFGREN (D-Calif.). Senate counterpart S. 560 was introduced by ORRIN HATCH (R-Utah) and co-sponsored by SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (D-R.I.). The bill would eliminate design patent protection for a motor vehicle replacement part 30 months after the part was offered to the public for sale.
In 2012 IPO wrote to the House explaining that IPO opposed the bill for two reasons: “First, it would virtually eliminate design patent protection for the automobile industry (cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles), weakening incentives for innovation and eliminating U.S. manufacturing jobs. Second, the bill would set a harmful precedent for all U.S. intellectual property rights.”