Repairs, Interconnections, and Consumer Welfare in the Field of Design

Repairs, Interconnections, and Consumer Welfare in the Field of Design
Alison Firth

ISBN 978-90-411-3136-2
Kluwer Law International BV, The Netherlands

Repairs frequently involve the use of replacement or ‘spare’ parts.1 The spare part must fit the product to be repaired and, if it has an aesthetic aspect, offer a good visual match. The classic case involves spares for cars and other road vehicles. The need for geometric and visual identity with the original part means that it is difficult to use visual appearance as an indication of origin.3 For reasons of safety, quality control, and economics, the manufacturers of original products are anxious to control the supply of spare parts, often attempting to keep these supplies within their own distribution networks.