Vehicle makers call for stronger anti-counterfeit laws

WASHINGTON — The Motor & Equipment Manufacturer Association has called for increased enforcement of anti-counterfeiting regulations and more resources toward intellectual property rights violations.

The association submitted comments to Victoria A. Espinel, the U.S. intellectual property enforcement coordinator in the Office of Management and Budget.

"MEMA supported and applauded the passage of the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act in 2008," MEMA said. "While it strengthens the nation’s trademark and copyright laws and increases domestic enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPR), it does not directly address international issues relating to counterfeit goods, including trans-shipment, border, and port issues. International issues remain a critical component to motor vehicle supplier efforts to combat counterfeit goods."

MEMA is urging the Obama administration to support the Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009, aimed at strengthening IPR enforcement.

The group also believes certain agencies need access to more resources to ensure enforcement of existing laws. It is also calling for the government to establish the IPEC as the centralized authority to coordinate activities, information sharing, and resource and enforcement collaboration.

"According to private sector estimates, annually motor vehicle suppliers lose an estimated $12 billion worldwide and $3 billion domestically in sales to product counterfeiting," the statement said. "Intellectual property is critical to the success of motor vehicle parts manufacturers, who continually innovate and develop new technologies."