Contact:	Caroline Holland (202) 543-1440 c.holland@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-20 March 31, 2008

California House Member Introduces Bill to Amend U.S. Patent Law for Crash Parts

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 31, 2008 - The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced new legislation aimed to create an exemption in the U.S. patent law to enable the production of aftermarket automobile parts. H.R. 5638, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., creates an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair another article of manufacture. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill states: "It shall not be an act of infringement to make, use, offer to sell, or sell within the United States or import into the United States any article of manufacture that itself constitutes a component part of another article of manufacture, if the sole purpose of the component part is for the repair of the article of manufacture of which it is a part so as to restore its original appearance."

To view H.R. 5638, visit ASA's legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. Click on "Track Legislation." The text can be found under "Key Bills in Congress."

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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