Chrysler Group has filed a lawsuit against LKQ Corporation in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan, according to Globe Newswire.
The lawsuit contends that certain aftermarket parts sold by LKQ infringe Chrysler design patents relating to the Dodge Ram pickup truck.
A spokesperson for LKQ said: “We believe that the lawsuit is without merit and will defend it vigorously. Moreover, the parts we sell that allegedly relate to these design patents represent an immaterial amount of our revenue. They represent less than one-tenth of one percent (0.001) of our estimated 2013 total revenue and less than one-half of one-tenth of one percent (0.0005) of our estimated total revenue for all the years since the first patent was granted (2009 through 2013).
“We have forged mutually-beneficial business relationships with other auto manufacturers. As previously disclosed, we have had a license arrangement with Ford since 2009. The license arrangements allow us to sell aftermarket parts covered by certain patents in exchange for a license fee.”
