AIA STATEMENT ON PARTS ACT HEARING
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2012 – Melissa Shelk, vice president for federal affairs for the American Insurance Association (AIA), issued a statement following today’s House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet hearing on H. R. 3889, the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales (PARTS) Act. Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the PARTS Act provides for an automotive “collision repair clause” in U.S. design patent law, allowing for the continued manufacture and sale of quality alternative repair parts.
Ms. Shelk statement follows:
“AIA commends Rep. Issa and Rep. Lofgren for their leadership in sponsoring H. R. 3889, the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales (PARTS) Act and welcomes this hearing.
“This hearing is a positive step forward for the PARTS Act, a bill which aims to continue consumer access to high-quality alternative replacement parts. Failure to act on this bill could possibly burden consumers with an additional $1.5 billion in annual repair costs.
“The PARTS Act seeks to change U.S. design patent law, which would preserve the current competitive repair parts market and provides greater choice for consumers. AIA will continue to work with other members of the Quality Parts Coalition which includes insurance, automotive repair and consumer groups to support the passage of this legislation.”