Counterfeiting - Government Affairs
Working in Washington to Combat Counterfeiting

MEMA has pursued a very aggressive government affairs strategy in the fight against counterfeiting, bringing our problem to federal law enforcement officials, trade negotiators and to our friends and allies in Congress. MEMA has been one of the leading voices in Washington, DC calling for more federal investigations and seizures of counterfeit automotive parts and components and more criminal prosecutions against traffickers.

MEMA is developing programs in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designed to educate suppliers on federal programs to combat counterfeiting and have given the agency permanent observer status on the Brand Protection Council. The first DHS-MEMA education program will be an anti-counterfeiting seminar on Sept. 9, 2004 at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, Mich.

MEMA is demanding that our U.S. trade negotiators increase the political pressure on China, India and other countries known to harbor massive, global counterfeiting rings, to cut foreign production of counterfeit goods. Finally, working in close cooperation with Congressman Joe Knollenberg, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) and many other industry groups, MEMA played a central role on the introduction of the "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act" (H.R. 4358).

Automotive suppliers have a strong voice in Washington DC in the global fight against intellectual property theft. Keeping that voice strong requires member support and involvement. Working together, we can build and maintain the kind of active, on-going dialogue between our industry and Washington that is required to address this critical industry challenge.

Automotive Suppliers Support Anti-Counterfeiting Legislation; Rep. Knollenberg and the Michigan Congressional Delegation Lead the Way
click here to read MEMA's letter to Rep. Knollenberg.