The P&C insurance industry is supporting legislation that would alter patent law to allow for the use of parts not made by the manufacturer in repairing damaged vehicles.

The Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales (PARTS) Act was introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R) and Zoe Lofgren (D), both of California.

The bill amends current U.S. design-patent law to limit to two-and-a-half years the period during which car companies can enforce their design patents on collision-repair parts against alternative suppliers.

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