General Motors Hits Vehicle Part Makers With Design Patent Suits

General Motors alleged patent infringement by several manufacturers and suppliers of vehicle parts, including LKQ Corp., Mitchell International Inc., and Jiangsu Srumto Auto Parts Co.

The manufacturers and suppliers infringed several design patents protecting features for GM vehicles and parts, according to four lawsuits filed Tuesday. The suits are led by the carmaker’s patent owner, GM Global Technology Operations LLC, and authorized user of the designs, General Motors LLC.

GM sued LKQ in Illinois federal court, Mitchell in Delaware federal court, and Srumto in federal courts in Michigan and Illinois.

The patents are practiced by designs for parts in ...