2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill to Help Strengthen Several Industry Initiatives
The fiscal 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, recently approved by Congress on Nov. 20, will help strengthen the country’s stance against intellectual property rights (IPR) violations with the creation of a new federal post to coordinate federal anti-IPR theft efforts. Broad industry support for stronger intellectual property enforcement abroad resulted in the creation of a new Intellectual Property (IP) czar post, which will be appointed by the president. The new IP czar will serve as coordinator for international intellectual property enforcement and lead the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council (NIPLECC).
MACS Announces Trade Show Policy on Trademark Infringement and Counterfeit Product
The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide said it is taking steps to protect its trade show exhibitors and the mobile A/C and engine cooling industry as a whole against counterfeiting and trademark infringement. MACS will hold its 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show February 1-3, 2005 at the Las Vegas Hilton. As part of its new policy, MACS is asking every exhibitor at this year’s show to sign the MACS Trade Show counterfeit product policy statement prior to their participation at the show.
Visteon Among Companies to Successfully Stop Patent Infringement at AAPEX
Yesterday it was announced that organizers for this year’s Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) 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. Among the companies that requested action at this year’s show was Visteon, which reported an infringement on a patented design used in its aftermarket products.
Increased Efforts Help Stem Intellectual Property Violations at AAPEX
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.
Aftermarket to Address Controversial Issues at 2005 Legislative Summit
More than 200 aftermarket industry representatives from across the nation are gearing up to attend the 2005 Aftermarket Legislative Summit on March 1-2 in Washington, D.C., according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). The Legislative Summit gives representatives of the aftermarket the opportunity to provide policymakers withy the information they need to make educated and informed decisions about issues that impact the aftermarket.
Live from AAPEX: MEMA Introduces New President at Press Conference
With what seemed like nearly the entire aftermarket industry gathered under one roof, what better place than AAPEX to introduce the new president of MEMA?
Executive Interview with Ken Schafer, Vice President, and Henry Hippert, Sales Director, for Eastern Manufacturing
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Ken Schafer, vice president, and Henry Hippert, executive sales director, for Eastern Manufacturing.
MEMA President Testifies: ‘China Not Meeting WTO Commitments’
Intellectual property rights protection, the China Automotive Industry Development Policy and China’s export controls on metallurgical coke were three of the main themes that interim MEMA President Scott Meyer testified on before U.S. trade representatives and officials from the departments of Labor, Commerce and other U.S. government agencies, during a hearing on China’s compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Meyer testified that MEMA believes China is not meeting its WTO commitments with respect to intellectual property rights protection in the automotive parts and components sector. “China is the primary global source of counterfeiting in our industry,” he said. “Counterfeit parts are widely sold throughout China and are shipped from China to the U.S and around the world.”
U.S. Customs Enforcement Agents Meet with Industry Execs for IPR Talk
Last Thursday, Sept. 9, officials from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office gathered in Dearborn, Mich., to brief automotive industry and aftermarket executives on their role in anti-counterfeiting and IPR investigations. The event hosted by ICE in conjunction with the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, brought together government and industry executives to learn more about IPR violations, protection and laws.
AAPEX Organizers Warn: Counterfeiters Beware
While automotive trade shows can be a bonanza for counterfeiters of replacement parts, organizers of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), which takes place Nov. 2-5, in Las Vegas, warn firms that make or sell fake parts to watch out. AAPEX has a long standing policy to take action against counterfeiting, according to Bill Glasgow of AAPEX show management company W.T. Glasgow Inc.