Industry-First Event Highlights IPR Solutions

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Six leading organizations recently partnered to produce the Aftermarket IP Forum, which was held on Aug. 15 in Dearborn, Mich. The event emphasized resources and solutions that automotive aftermarket brand owners can utilize to protect intellectual property, work with major online marketplaces and address intellectual property rights (IPR) violators.

Research data indicates that counterfeiting, patent violations, gray market goods and copyright infringements in the industry are increasing. One of the conference’s panels compared the use of internal staff to contracting with third parties as part of aftermarket suppliers’ IPR strategies.

Partner organizations for the Aftermarket IP Forum included the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), its Intellectual Property Council (IPC), American Bearing Manufacturers Association, Battery Council International, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), National Automotive Service Task Force and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

Major sponsors included Pattishall McAuliffe, Rutan & Tucker and Surys.

Event organizers stated that planning activities for a similar 2020 event have already been launched.