The Archives

Everything written by Joshua D. Sarnoff on law, economics, and more

How the FTC Could, but Won’t, Use Its Rulemaking Authority to Allow Aftermarket Parts

We used to have a robust aftermarket for non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) automobile repair parts and “independent” repair services, but car companies have increasingly resorted to design-patent protection to prevent competition in the supply of cosmetic repair parts such as bumpers, hoods, panels, and mirrors. The predictable and intended consequence has been to raise prices ... How the FTC Could, but Won’t, Use Its Rulemaking Authority to Allow Aftermarket Parts