SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The U.S. House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property recently held a hearing addressing patent design, when The Consumer Federation of America, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and the Center for Auto Safety testified and urged Congress to keep prices fair in the automobile replacement parts marketplace. The California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) says it encourages Congress to maintain a system that for more than 60 years has offered consumers a safe, alternative choice when it comes to auto repair.
CAWA says the current and rising trend of automaker design patents on collision replacement parts could eliminate the entire alternative replacement parts industry, thus removing competition in the marketplace. Without a permanent legislative solution, a monopoly on replacement parts threatens the entire industry and with it, tens of thousands of American jobs. A “repair clause” would ensure competition in the automobile parts industry, saving consumers $1.2 billion a year. “CAWA recognizes the critical importance of preserving competition in the automotive aftermarket industry,” says Rodney Pierini, president and CEO of CAWA. “We commend the Consumer Federation of America and its partners in testifying on behalf of consumers, protecting Americans from a monopoly – and higher prices – in the automobile parts industry.” For more information about CAWA visit www.cawa.org. | 
