|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RetireSafe QPC Hearing Letter |
|---|
| February 13, 2008 The Honorable Howard L. Berman House of Representatives Chair Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property Room 2138 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Subject: Designs Protection Hearing, Thursday, February 14, 2008 Dear Chairman Berman: On behalf of RetireSafe’s nearly 400,000 senior citizen supporters across America, and the entire senior community—representing one in every eight Americans—I urge you to fully support inclusion of an automotive replacement collision part “repair clause” in United States design patent law. We commend the Subcommittee’s recognition of the importance of this issue as evidenced by the upcoming hearing. RetireSafe urges you to take this opportunity to preserve the American tradition of consumer choice when it comes to vehicle repairs. Decreased competition among the manufacturers of replacement parts drives consumers to the dealership time and time again, allowing car companies to take advantage of monopoly pricing— and consumers, especially seniors living on a fixed income, will be the victims. In fact, without legislative action to correct the current patent law, skyrocketing parts prices will inflate insurance premiums. The cost of replacing vehicles that are unnecessarily declared “totaled” will force many seniors to abandon personal transportation, a critical freedom. Adoption of a “repair clause” will ensure freedom of choice and the continued availability of affordable auto body parts simply by maintaining a level playing field. A sudden shift to unwarranted protection through design patents may result in a chilling effect on our economy – an economy that has until now rewarded competitors and consumers over car company monopolies . For more than 60 years, seniors have had a choice when repairing a damaged vehicle. A fair repair clause will maintain this much-needed balance. Again, on behalf of the seniors you serve, as well as older Americans everywhere, I urge you to ensure the widest possible access to high-quality, low-cost replacement collision parts. Europe has already acted to protect consumers, and we should follow their lead. I urge you to support this needed change. Thank you for consideration in this matter. Michelle Plasari President |
