LKQ - Federal Circuit Overturns GM's Patent Win Against Auto-Parts Provider LKQ | Benzinga
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM) has experienced a setback in its legal battle against aftermarket auto parts provider LKQ Corp. (NASDAQ:LKQ) regarding fender designs.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned a previous decision favoring GM, marking a huge shift in design-patent law with a rare full-court decision.
Reuters reported that the Federal Circuit Court discarded a long-standing test for determining the validity of a design patent and remanded the case to the U.S. Patent Office for further review.
Meanwhile, LKQ’s attorney, Mark Lemley, described the ruling as vital to providing consumers with safer, quality repair options.
Design patents safeguard the unique ...