April 3, 2018—U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc., one of the largest online providers of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories, has filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
The lawsuit filed today asserts that the United States Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, has been wrongfully seizing automotive grilles being imported by U.S. Auto Parts on the basis that the grilles are allegedly "counterfeit" and infringe trademarks held by the original automobile manufacturers.
U.S. Auto Parts intends to vigorously defend its right to sell aftermarket automotive grilles under well-established trademark doctrines.
U.S. Auto Parts CEO Aaron Coleman commented: "While the number of seized automotive grilles currently represents less than one percent of our overall revenue and product assortment, we are taking this action to remove overly burdensome bonding requirements arising from the wrongful seizures.”
