Progressive Snapshot?

[Big A]

If Ford has their way they'll shut down the aftermarket part industry anyways. I doubt they'll win but they are suing everyone in town that makes aftermarket parts that appear to be OEM over trademark violations.

The whole point of a trademark is to prevent others from copying your intellectual property, so it makes sense, but if they win it will most certainly drive up the cost of OEM parts.

[Baron Von Crowder]

The whole point of a trademark is to prevent others from copying your intellectual property, so it makes sense, but if they win it will most certainly drive up the cost of OEM parts.

They don't want to win, they want to keep it tied up in litigation indefinitely, right now, nobody can sell those parts, so ford dealers get the order, except the ones Keystone made a deal with ford to sell, but we throw them a cut.

[stephen4785]

progressive wanted to use used parts to fix it!

Every insurance company does that.

[Big A]

They don't want to win, they want to keep it tied up in litigation indefinitely, right now, nobody can sell those parts, so ford dealers get the order, except the ones Keystone made a deal with ford to sell, but we throw them a cut.

Wouldn't a win net the same effect, but without the lawyer fees?

[Baron Von Crowder]

Wouldn't a win net the same effect, but without the lawyer fees?

They won't win, and if they did, all parts would be proprietary of the manufacture. No more brake pads, belts, etc.

[Hobie]

new oem>recycled oem>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>dogshit>>>>>>>>>>chinese-repop

[Ruffdaddy]

They won't win, and if they did, all parts would be proprietary of the manufacture. No more brake pads, belts, etc.

They could still license...just like ALL other cases of IP. May drive the cost a little, but only on exact matches.

[jewozzy]

My wife drives roughly 10 miles a day and they said that was too many miles...

[Baron Von Crowder]

They could still license...just like ALL other cases of IP. May drive the cost a little, but only on exact matches.

Here's something to ponder: why is Ford the only one contesting it? Are all the other manufacturers just dumb?

[BP]

who is to say the one they rip off the junker is a oem part?

We have an inventory girl that can spot body work from 50+ feet away. Take a closer look and you'll see the stamp marks are different and usually they'll have CAPA certification stickers all over the inside of the panel. If she misses it then the dismantlers are trained to look, if they miss it the parts puller looks, then it goes to QC and finally our driver's know what to look for as well. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but the chances of getting an aftermarket fender, hood or bumper sold as salvage are slim, at least from us.

The other factor people don't realize is that when you get a salvage piece they come with whatever is attached to them normally. Buy a used fender for example and it'll have the liner in it and a lot of times a side marker. Buy a door and it comes with the glass, door lock actuator, window regulator, etc... Buy brand new OE and it's a door skin or the outer fender itself. You save labor by buying salvage because you don't have to break the part down all the way before installing it.

[Ruffdaddy]

Here's something to ponder: why is Ford the only one contesting it? Are all the other manufacturers just dumb?

I can't answer that, I don't know specifics. Still doesn't mean others can't manufacture aftermarkets or parts that are licensed. Did you misread what I'm saying? The selling of parts is all I care about...win lose or draw. And other companies can sell licensed or aftermarkets even if ford wins. Don't believe me? Ask fairchild or TI about the IC split, or the NFL, or NCAA, or any other licensed manufacturer of anothers design

[Pro88LX]

had an oem bumper from a wrecked car (rear ended) installed on my t/a when it got hit. Im so glad they were able to find one as i would not want a chinese pos on there,

[Baron Von Crowder]

I can't answer that, I don't know specifics. Still doesn't mean others can't manufacture aftermarkets or parts that are licensed. Did you misread what I'm saying? The selling of parts is all I care about...win lose or draw. And other companies can sell licensed or aftermarkets even if ford wins. Don't believe me? Ask fairchild or TI about the IC split, or the NFL, or NCAA, or any other licensed manufacturer of anothers design

Well, I guess the question really is; what is there to license? They don't say ford on them, and they are not marketed as a ford part. The rear covers that say Mustang on them oem are blank, etc.

[BP]

Ford would probably love to be able to go around the middle man and have the cheap Chinese companies make their crash parts for them, unfortunately for them though their stamping plants are all union. Ford needs to be able to sell their parts to keep money rolling in, they can't compete with the aftermarket so instead of changing their ways to be competitive they are trying to kill the competition through the courts.

[Ruffdaddy]

Well, I guess the question really is; what is there to license? They don't say ford on them, and they are not marketed as a ford part. The rear covers that say Mustang on them oem are blank, etc.

License the design...that way ford gets money for doing nothing but upfront design work.