Ford Global Technologies has filed a design patent infringement lawsuit against Empire Auto Parts, raising renewed concerns about the availability of independently supplied replacement collision parts.
The lawsuit, filed Oct. 26 in federal court in Dallas, alleges infringement of five design patents covering Ford F-150 grilles, fenders and hoods, along with Bronco Sport headlamps and tail lamps.
Ford is seeking an injunction and monetary relief.
According to the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA), the complaint also identifies additional Empire Auto Parts catalogue items and Ford patents that could be added to the case. Those additional patents are not currently all part of the lawsuit, and the allegations against Empire have not been decided.
The legal action follows similar patent-related cases brought by General Motors against aftermarket parts manufacturers, distributors and estimating platforms earlier this year.
The ABPA, of which Empire Auto Parts is a member, said the cases highlight the continuing challenges facing independent collision parts suppliers over automotive design patents.
The association has previously challenged Ford’s collision parts design patents through litigation and has supported legislative changes aimed at protecting competition in the replacement parts market.
The ABPA also pointed to a 2024 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in LKQ v. GM, which established a revised framework for determining whether a design is too obvious to qualify for patent protection.
While the ruling provides another avenue for challenging design patents, the association noted it does not automatically invalidate existing patents.
The ABPA is encouraging members to contribute to its legal fundraising efforts and support the CAR Coalition, which advocates for legislative changes affecting the collision repair industry.
Those efforts include support for the SMART Act, proposed legislation aimed at reforming automotive design patent protections and increasing competition in the replacement collision parts market.
