Registration Forms Now Available for MEMA Counterfeiting Seminar

As part of its continuing efforts to address the counterfeiting and intellectual property right violations problems -- which costs the U.S. automotive industry nearly $3 billion and costs the global industry $12 billion each year -- MEMA will present a one-day seminar -- “Taking Action Against Automotive Parts Counterfeiting, Diversion and IPR Violations” -- on Monday, April 5, at the Dearborn Hyatt, Dearborn, Mich.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — As part of its continuing efforts to address the counterfeiting and intellectual property right violations problems — which costs the U.S. automotive industry nearly $3 billion and costs the global industry $12 billion each year — MEMA will present a one-day seminar — “Taking Action Against Automotive Parts Counterfeiting, Diversion and IPR Violations” — on Monday, April 5, at the Dearborn Hyatt, Dearborn, Mich.

MEMA will present the seminar in conjunction with its three market segment associations: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). The event will focus on best practices: what other suppliers and industries are doing to combat counterfeiting, diversion and IPR violations, and will include increased dialogue among attendees with a pair of breakout sessions.

“At our initial seminar on Oct. 1, 2003, our members identified ways in which these issues severely affect the original equipment, aftermarket and heavy duty industries, including lost sales, lost jobs, safety risks and loss of brand integrity,” said Paul Foley, vice president of AASA. “This event will look at the next steps – taking action against these increasingly harmful industry challenges.”

Speakers will include:

* Tony Bol, manager of investigations, General Motors Corp.
* Richard Halverson, enforcement program and International Counterfeiting Enforcement (ICE) international affairs, Department of Homeland Security
* Lisa Fortunato, 3M Corp.
* John Borruso, corporate counsel, Hella North America

Topics slated for discussion include:

* Best practices: what other industries are doing
* How the government can help
* Return on investment model: justifying the cost to fight these challenges

The breakout sessions will allow participants to learn more about defending against IPR violations, stopping diversion and dealing with China.

Attendees can save $100 by registering before Monday, March 22. Fees are $325 per person for members of MEMA, AASA, HDMA and OESA who register before March 22 and $475 per attendee for nonmembers.

For registration forms, contact Jobie Dowd at MEMA, 919-549-4800 ext. 872 or [email protected]

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