Keystone Automotive Industries Inc. on Tuesday announced it is under investigation by the International Trade Commission as part of a complaint made by Ford Motor Co. that certain collision replacement parts that it and other companies manufacture infringe on Ford design patents.

The Pomona-based aftermarket collision repair parts maker said the complaint, which names several Taiwan manufacturers and U.S. distributors including Keystone, involves 14 design patents for the 2004 model year F-150 Ford truck covering its grilles, head lamps, bumpers, hoods, fenders, side view mirrors and tail lamps. Ford wants to prevent the importation of these parts into the U.S.

Keystone said Ford’s complaint is part of an “ongoing campaign by original equipment manufacturers to deny consumers an alternative product for automotive collision repair.”

“This case could have far reaching consequences beyond just the automotive industry and we intend to vigorously defend our right to distribute aftermarket parts,” said Richard Keister, president and chief executive of Keystone Automotive, in a statement.

While sales of these parts have been minimal so far, Keystone said, if the complaint is successful, other car manufacturers could eventually make similar allegations based upon design patents on a significant number of parts, which could adversely affect the aftermarket parts industry.

The matter will be heard by an ITC administrative law judge in the late summer or early fall of 2006, with an opinion expected by the end of the year.

Last May, Ford filed a similar complaint involving a design patent on the grille of its Expedition vehicle. A notice of investigation was issued by the ITC but was promptly dismissed after Keystone advised Ford that the design was published before Ford applied for the design patent, Keystone said.