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Spares price hike warning

18th August 1994
Page 6
Page 6, 18th August 1994 — Spares price hike warning
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by Patrick Hook • Prices of spare parts for LGVs could rise under proposals being considered by the European Commission, say parts distributors and manufacturers.

European Design Rights legislation is intended to protect the rights of designers for a set period after the launch of a product.

But it is feared by many that, with a monopoly position on their designs, truck manufacturers will raise parts prices.

As a compromise, the Commission is proposing to limit the period of copyright protection for designers of some spare part types to just three years instead of a maximum allowable 25 years. But Brian Spratt of the Automotive Distribution Federation, which represents parts manufacturers and distributors, says: "These proposals will mean that operators will no longer have the opportunity to shop around for spare parts. They will be compelled to go to the franchised dealer and pay his prices."

Vehicle manufacturers dispute this view. A spokesman for Ford in Brussels says: "The design criteria of the proposals make it extremely unlikely that copyright protection will be given to 90% of spare parts. The proposal is limited to body panels and excludes everything under the bonnet."


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