POMONA, Calif., March 23, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:KEYS), D/B/A Coast to Coast Hubcaps & Wheels announced that it has instituted legal action against I.W.C. International, Inc. (International Wheel Covers) alleging violations of the Federal Copyright Act and the Unfair Competition laws of the State of California arising out of I.W.C.'s manufacture and sale of decorative wheel covers.
Coast to Coast has been a pioneer in the business of designing and selling unique simulated wheel products, popularly known as "imposters" since 1998. These simulated wheel products emulate expensive chrome wheels. As a result of extensive advertising and promotion of these unique, high quality wheel products, they have gained wide popular acceptance.
Keystone alleges that I.W.C. has caused to be copied, manufactured and sold wheel cover products which are substantially identical to Coast to Coast's products. Keystone intends to vigorously protect its products from copyright infringement and unfair competition by others who might copy and sell its unique wheel products.
Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. distributes its products in the United States primarily to collision repair shops through its 118 distribution facilities, of which 22 serve as regional hubs. Its product lines consist of automotive body parts, bumpers, auto glass and remanufactured alloy wheels, as well as paint and other materials used in repairing a damaged vehicle. These products comprise more that 22,000 stock keeping units that are sold to more than 25,000 repair shops throughout the nation.