Representatives of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association and its Brand Protection Council expressed support of legislation strengthening the nation's anti-counterfeiting laws in both written comments and testimony this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee.


The association's written comments to the committee urge increased coordination of Executive Branch Enforcement efforts and the inclusion of protections for trademarks, trade dress, patents, and copyrights in any IP enforcement legislation.

Jeff Thurnau, patent counsel for Gates Corp. and a Brand Protection Council member, appeared before the Senate committee and urged passage of legislation that will strengthen the ability of motor vehicle suppliers to address a number of counterfeiting issues.

"Protection of Gates intellectual property is critical to the success of our high-end business model. Our aim is to continually develop the most innovative technology in our market sectors, patent the products that our technology creates, then lead the market in those sectors," Thurnau said in his statement to the committee. He also noted that this allows the company to create high wage, high skill jobs in America.

"Every year, counterfeiters steal companies' good names and brand reputation - and put consumers at serious risk with unsafe, fake parts," said Bob McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA, commenting on the association's actions. "The crime takes a huge toll on the motor vehicle parts industry, costing the global industry $12 billion in lost sales and U.S. parts makers $3 billion annually. Sales lost to counterfeiters also cost U.S. manufacturing jobs - an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 American jobs," he noted. "We urge the Senate to move forward with this legislation to protect consumers and American jobs."

The MEMA Brand Protection Council is a membership peer-council of executives responsible for brand and intellectual property rights protection within their company. The council focuses on best practices, solutions and information on counterfeit parts, black- and gray-marketed products and intellectual property issues.