Press Release: Industrial property: Commission proposes more competition in car spare parts market

The European Commission has launched a proposal to amend the legal protection of designs Directive (98/71) by removing Member States' option to maintain design protection for 'visible' replacement vehicle parts, such as bonnets, bumpers, doors, lamps, rear protection panels, windscreens and wings, 14 September 04. This is supposed to give consumers better choice and value when they buy such items. The proposal would allow independent part manufacturers - not linked to the producers of finished vehicles - to compete throughout the EU market for visible replacement parts, potentially worth some € 10 billion annually. The Commission estimates that these parts are 6-10 % more expensive in Member States where they are subject to design protection. Non-visible parts, like engine or mechanical parts, are not concerned by the proposal. Neither are components in new vehicles.

European Commission: DG Internal Market: Industrial property: Designs http://ec.europa.eu/comm/internal_market/en/indprop/design/index.htm

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