Auto Group Rejected By Supreme Court In Ford Parts Patent Fight

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider an automotive trade group’s challenge to design patents covering parts for Ford Motor Co.'s F-150 pickup truck.

The high court’s denial of the Automotive Body Parts Association’s appeal leaves in place a decision that rejected the ABPA’s attempt to block Ford from enforcing patents on headlamp and hood designs against the group’s members.

Replacement parts distributors and insurance companies for years pushed for legislation that would cut the amount of time automakers could enforce design patents against collision repair parts makers. The ABPA, a trade association representing companies that sell vehicle replacement ...