ORLAND PARK, IL — Show organizers for this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) reported they were extremely successful in their efforts to crack down on counterfeiters and other intellectual property violators at the recent trade show held in Las Vegas Nov. 2-5. The event featured more than 1,900 exhibitors in the automotive parts and accessories market.

A total of 24 cases of suspected intellectual property violations were examined by a staff of three attorneys working with show management, according to Show Manager Bill Glasgow, Sr. “All cases were thoroughly and immediately investigated with the corrective actions taken to help protect the rights of the genuine manufacturer,” Glasgow said. “We take these issues very seriously as we understand that a company’s most important assets – other than its people – is its intellectual property.”

Glasgow noted that two booths were shut down for non-compliance with the corrective measures. In all, 17 patent violations and 10 trademark violations were discovered. “Offending exhibitors were from both international and domestic companies which demonstrates how global of a problem this truly is,” Glasgow said.

“The feedback from the exhibitors regarding our beefed-up anti-counterfeiting measures was extremely positive,” Glasgow added. “Trade shows are becoming one of the leading places where counterfeit products appear, but by taking the appropriate corrective actions and by companies doing their homework, trade shows like AAPEX can send the message that intellectual property violations will not be tolerated.”

In addition to the increased number of full-time attorneys on site, AAPEX had eight security people dedicated to walking the floor to assist exhibitors with any brand protection issues and to enforce the show’s anti-camera policy.

Next year’s AAPEX will take place Nov. 1-4, 2005. For more information, go to: www.AAPEXshow.com.

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