ACEA

European automobile industry opposes abolition of design rights

Brussels, 20/11/2007 - The European vehicle manufacturers oppose the abolition of design rights on car spare parts. The transition period of 5 years, as proposed today by the European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee in a vote on the matter, comes nowhere near a feasible compromise. The automobile industry urges the European Parliament to take a different stance in its plenary vote in December.

Today, vehicle manufacturers can legally protect the design of visible spare parts, such as bonnets, bumpers, lights and doors, in a majority of EU member states. The design of these parts makes a vital contribution to the identity of cars and its commercial success. At a time when the EU is rightly fighting counterfeit products from other parts of the world, it is inconsistent to allow copying of car parts in the EU itself.

The car industry is in favour of maintaining and where necessary reintroducing design right protection of at least 10 years across the EU. Abolishing these rights altogether would harm the automotive industry’s competitiveness, lead to a loss of jobs in Europe and create no
consumer benefits.

Please visit here for more information and a leaflet with the full industry position.

The European automotive industry is key to the strength and competitiveness of Europe. The ACEA members are BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Scania, Volkswagen and Volvo. They provide direct employment to more than 2.3 million people and support another 10 million jobs in related sectors. Annually, ACEA members invest €20 billion in R&D, or 4% of turnover.

For further information, please contact Sigrid de Vries, Director Communications, ACEA +32 2 738 73 45 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Please also visit http://www.acea.be

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