Bill introduced in U.S. House would amend patent law for crash parts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., of the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced H.R. 5638, new legislation aimed to create an exemption in the U.S. patent law to enable the production of aftermarket automobile parts and creates an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair another article of manufacture. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill states: “It shall not be an act of infringement to make, use, offer to sell, or sell within the United States or import into the United States any article of manufacture that itself constitutes a component part of another article of manufacture, if the sole purpose of the component part is for the repair of the article of manufacture of which it is a part so as to restore its original appearance.”

To view H.R. 5638, visit the Automotive Service Associaion’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. Click on “Track Legislation.” The text can be found under “Key Bills in Congress.”