The Firm’s Attorneys Report From The SEMA Export Fair

The Firm proudly shares that Attorneys Ed Sisson and Jeffrey Banyas returned last week from what they consider a successful Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Export Fair.

While the entire Export Fair was a positive experience, Jeffrey noted three particular highlights:

• Ed spoke on the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) panel, during which he discussed the steps brand owners can take to protect themselves from counterfeiting during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Drawing on the firm’s experiences in other countries and what happened at the 2016 SEMA Show, Ed described how the evidence of counterfeiting is procured from the show, with the brand owner’s complaint filed in court on Tuesday, and  the government’s swift removal of the counterfeiting activity on Wednesday. SEMA members concerned about counterfeiting during the  SEMA Show are encouraged to contact our offices as they prepare for the Show..
• The Export Fair was the first time we have heard the representative from the United States Government tell SEMA members that it is ultimately each company’s responsibility to assert and protect its intellectual property rights around the world.
• And, lastly, as Jeffrey noted,
  

  I sat through every presentation from 1:00 on Tuesday until noon on Wednesday and the consistency of message on brand registration from each speaker throughout the two days was palpable.

Businesses must register their brands in their target  country or countries early, no exceptions. Without early, proactive registration, a business has no options to enforce against counterfeiters in the U.S. or abroad.

SEMA members are encouraged to contact our offices to make sure their intellectual property is protected.  In particular, SEMA members concerned about counterfeiting during the SEMA Show are encouraged to contact our offices as they prepare for the Show. SEMA members selling overseas are encouraged to contact our offices to review their brand protection options in new markets, as well.

SEMA members who find themselves counterfeited at the SEMA Show are also encouraged to visit our booth (No. 50120 in the Performance Pavillion) to discuss their options.