Right to Repair Act Picks Up More Support in Congress
BETHESDA, MD — Congressional support for the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694) has grown to 33 sponsors with the addition of Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and David Price (D-NC), it was announced today by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). The Right
Court Approves DURA Automotive Systems’ Backstop Rights Purchase Agreement and Atwood Sale
DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. has announced that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved two important agreements that will help facilitate and finance DURA’s emergence from bankruptcy. The court entered an order approving DURA’s asset purchase agreement for the sale of its Atwood Mobile Products division and approved its amended backstop rights purchase agreement. The order for the backstop agreement will be submitted tomorrow under certificate of counsel. These milestones keep the company on track for an expected emergence from Chapter 11 in the fourth quarter of 2007.
DURA Automotive Files Chapter 11 for U.S. and Canadian Operations
DURA Automotive Systems, as well as its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, have filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. DURA’s European and other operations outside of the U.S. and Canada, accounting for approximately 51 percent of DURA’s revenue, are not part of the filing.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks about Protecting Against Software Piracy
Thanks to increased legislative and media attention, the issue of counterfeiting has been pushed to the forefront of the American business’ consciousness. Blamed for the loss of billions of dollars every year, product counterfeiting is estimated to cause about $12 billion in lost sales annually for American automotive suppliers. Within the aftermarket, counterfeiting isn’t limited only to trademark violations or manufacture of knock-off parts. It also includes the illegal copying or ‘pirating’ of software, a primary business for a number of companies in the aftermarket. For this week’s “Ask the Industry,” we spoke with several companies that develop software solutions for the automotive aftermarket to find out how they protect against software piracy.
U.S. Congress Questions Whether China is Playing Fair on Trade; SEMA Member Testifies Against Illegal Chinese Knock-Offs
Efforts to fight off-shore piracy continued yesterday as two House Small Business Subcommittees held a joint hearing to consider whether China is enforcing its laws on intellectual property rights (IPR). Auto Meter, a member company of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), was among the businesses on hand to provide U.S. lawmakers with real world examples of the consequences of lax enforcement by that nation.
Four Democrats Withdraw Support for Right to Repair
Four Democratic representatives have withdrawn their support for HR 2048 – The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act – according to Congress Daily, a Washington, D.C., newspaper covering events on Capitol Hill. The bill recently reached a milestone number of Congressional supporters. As of last week, the bill was up to 106 co-sponsors.
Bush Signs the ‘Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act’
President George Bush yesterday signed into law the “Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act,” attended by representatives of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and other industry groups. The bill was introduced by Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) at the beginning of the 109th Congress with the support of MEMA and other industry associations that helped craft the bill and worked for its passage. It passed in the House on March 7 and the Senate on Feb. 15.
California Parts Bill Harms Consumers, Repairers Says ASA
California Assembly Bill 1852 has been introduced in California by Assembly members Ed Chavez, Bill Maze and Leland Yee. The legislation regulates the use of replacement crash parts creating a parts certification system in the state of California. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes A.B. 1852.
Consultant Group Assesses Intellectual Property Concerns in China
Industrial piracy and counterfeiting are among the major risks faced by companies doing business in China, according to a study on intellectual property protection by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.
Auto Suppliers Feel Carmakers’ Pain
Automotive supplier Collins & Aikman filed for bankruptcy-court protection Tuesday, evidence that financial troubles at the automakers are having a rapid and dramatic effect on the companies that make car parts. A May 5 decision by Standard & Poor’s to downgrade General Motors and Ford Motor to junk bond status had little near-term impact on the carmakers, but automotive suppliers are suddenly facing a cash crunch that could put their very existence at risk.