BETHESDA, Md. (May 25, 2016) — Aaron Lowe, senior vice president, regulatory and government affairs for the Auto Care Association, participated in roundtables May 18-19 sponsored by the U.S. Copyright Office.
The roundtables centered on copyright law and its relation to software-embedded consumer products, as well as issues related to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, according to an ACA press release.
Addressing the growing use of software on late-model vehicles, Mr. Lowe discussed concerns that vehicle manufacturers were adopting anti-competitive technological protection measures that prevent parts manufacturers, service facilities and consumers from accessing the software they need to perform repairs and maintenance, the ACA said.
A consumer who purchases a car should also own all the software embedded in that vehicle, Mr. Lowe told the Copyright Office.
“The absence of clear guidance regarding interpretations of copyright defenses is having a chilling impact on companies developing replacement components, causing companies in the auto care industry to be concerned about extensive and disruptive litigation,” Mr. Lowe said.