Yantai Xituo Intelligent Technology Co., LTD , https://www.xtznautomation.com
The European Commission recently proposed that the EU eliminate the legal protection of automotive surface parts design and open up the EU automotive surface parts market, so that spare parts manufacturers independent of auto manufacturers can participate in market competition.
The EU auto surface parts market has annual sales of 10 billion euros. These parts include car hoods, front and rear bumpers, doors, lights, rear panels, windshields, fenders, and more. The European Commission estimates that if EU member states do not implement industrial property protection for the design of these parts, their prices will be 6%-10% cheaper.
In some EU member states, if you want to replace a surface part, you can only buy it from the original manufacturer. While automakers and their component suppliers are monopolized in the surface parts market, EU law allows member states to protect the design of these parts and prohibits independent parts manufacturers from counterfeiting, so in most EU countries, independent zero Parts manufacturers are being squeezed out of this market. Their share of the EU automotive surface parts market is only 12% to 15%. The European Commission believes that this phenomenon violates the principle of competition and is unfair to consumers.
Therefore, the European Commission proposed adding a “repair clause†to the EU’s 1998 law on the protection of design, allowing independent parts manufacturers to imitate and sell automotive surface parts in EU countries, but their products can only be used Automobile repairs must also meet the EU's safety and quality standards.
In addition, internal car parts or new car parts are not affected by the European Commission's recommendations. Automakers still enjoy the patent rights of new car designs.