Petrillo Name Rostra Chairman, Hanighen Named CEO
Rostra Precision Controls Inc. announced that Thomas P. Petrillo has moved to chairman of the board of Rostra and has named John Hanighen as his successor as CEO. According to Rostra, Hanighen brings more than 30 years of automotive aftermarket experience driving sales and marketing in the commercial markets. He joins Rostra from Genuine Parts Co. where he was vice president of commercial marketing with NAPA. “We are thrilled to have John take over at the helm of the Rostra leadership team, as his background and skill set fits very well with the company’s strategic direction,” said Petrillo. “He is a proven leader with broad aftermarket commercial experience and has a significant track record of successful acquisition integration as well as driving revenue growth. 

Michael Sype Lead Tenneco’s Rancho Product Development Team
Michael Sype has been assigned to lead Tenneco’s Rancho product development team. After serving in increasingly responsible engineering roles within Tenneco’s OE business, Sype joins the Rancho engineering team with a strong background in product development, program management and production. He also served as a senior ride development technician for projects conducted at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds, Milford, Michigan. Sype will be based in Monroe, Michigan.

McCullough Public Relations Named PR Firm for DCM Manufacturing
McCullough Public Relations was selected the pubic relations firm of record for DCM Manufacturing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreison International Inc. McCullough will coordinate all media relations for DCM’s key brands, including Maradyne High Performance Fans, Maradyne Mobile Products and Maradyne Marine Products. The agency is responsible for press release writing, feature story coordination, product placement, on-site trade show representation and organizing company media events.

Parrot Becomes Part of GENIVI Alliance
Parrot Inc. announced that it is an associate member of the GENIVI Alliance, a collection of companies from the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) value chain for the development and adoption of open IVI reference platforms. According to the company, it will provide expertise in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, telephony, multimedia and mobile Internet access to the GENIVI Alliance. Parrot’s involvement will contribute to the Alliance’s efforts in reducing the development time and costs of future open IVI platforms.

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Launches Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. announced that it has launched the company’s largest promotion ever, the Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes. Running through January 2, 2012, the 17-week Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes will award one winner a set of Toyo tires each week, while one person will win the Grand Prize—a custom '11 Dodge Durango. A registration form, official rules, contest odds and prize descriptions are available at www.toyotires.com/sweepstakes.

	The ’12 Nissan NV Body Builder's Guide is now available for download.

Nissan has released the first revision of its ’12 NV Body Builder's Guide. This manual contains body-builder’s information for the ’12 Nissan NV, including complete instructions on how to install the OEM rear windows. Also, for easier reading, dimensional data has been reformatted.

The NV is available in three trim levels—1500, 2500 HD and 3500 HD. The 1500 is powered by a 261hp, 4.0L V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It features a full-length, fully boxed ladder frame, 243-degree wide-opening rear doors, 234.1 cu.-ft. of cargo space and a standard roof. The 2500 HD is equipped with the same 4.0L V6 or a 5.6L V8 that produces 317 hp. Options include a 323.1 cu.-ft. high roof. The 3500 HD is standard-equipped with the 5.6L V8 and also offers the high-roof option. All models are rear-wheel drive and have a two-passenger capacity.

Click here to download a pdf copy of the ’12 Nissan NV Body Builder's Guide.

	The WD-40 brand has a new interactive webpage to promote its partnership with legendary hot-rod designer Chip Foose.

The WD-40 brand has a new interactive webpage to promote its partnership with legendary hot-rod designer Chip Foose. On the site, visitors can view “Chip’s Tips,” a series of how-to online videos that show Foose using the WD-40 multi-use product to help build, restore and maintain vehicles. The site also has information about the WD-40/SEMA Cares project vehicle and a new series of collectible cans that feature some of Foose’s greatest designs.

Foose also has a redesigned site of his own at ChipFoose.com. New features include an updated design and layout, enhanced photo galleries, additional Foose merchandise and exclusive content. Foose can also now engage directly with fans and sponsors via blogs, videos and an “Ask Chip” section.

Go to Chip Foose's and WD-40's Facebook pages to “like” them.

	The WD-40 brand has a new interactive webpage to promote its partnership with legendary hot-rod designer Chip Foose.

The WD-40 brand has a new interactive webpage to promote its partnership with legendary hot-rod designer Chip Foose. On the site, visitors can view “Chip’s Tips,” a series of how-to online videos that show Foose using the WD-40 multi-use product to help build, restore and maintain vehicles. The site also has information about the WD-40/SEMA Cares project vehicle and a new series of collectible cans that feature some of Foose’s greatest designs.

Foose also has a redesigned site of his own at ChipFoose.com. New features include an updated design and layout, enhanced photo galleries, additional Foose merchandise and exclusive content. Foose can also now engage directly with fans and sponsors via blogs, videos and an “Ask Chip” section.

Go to Chip Foose's and WD-40's Facebook pages to “like” them.

The California legislature voted in favor of a one-year delay on collection of sales taxes for online transactions made within the state. Earlier this year, the legislature passed a law requiring online retailers with subsidiaries in California to collect sales taxes from their customers. The law, which took effect July 1, has been met with strong resistance by Amazon.com, the world’s largest electronic retailer. Governor Jerry Brown has until October 9 to sign or veto the bill.

Under the deal, Amazon will delay collecting sales taxes until September 15, 2012. In exchange for the reprieve, Amazon will cease its efforts to include a referendum to overturn the law on a statewide ballot next June. Amazon will also urge the U.S. Congress to enact the “Main Street Fairness Act,” which will set a national standard for collection of online sales taxes. The legislation, supported by Amazon, would recognize the “Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement,” an ongoing initiative by state and local governments to address the collection of sales/use taxes. The agreement creates a system for companies to register with member states, collect and remit taxes and file one tax return for each state. To date, 44 states have worked to create the agreement and 24 states are participating members.  

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The California legislature voted in favor of a one-year delay on collection of sales taxes for online transactions made within the state. Earlier this year, the legislature passed a law requiring online retailers with subsidiaries in California to collect sales taxes from their customers. The law, which took effect July 1, has been met with strong resistance by Amazon.com, the world’s largest electronic retailer. Governor Jerry Brown has until October 9 to sign or veto the bill.

Under the deal, Amazon will delay collecting sales taxes until September 15, 2012. In exchange for the reprieve, Amazon will cease its efforts to include a referendum to overturn the law on a statewide ballot next June. Amazon will also urge the U.S. Congress to enact the “Main Street Fairness Act,” which will set a national standard for collection of online sales taxes. The legislation, supported by Amazon, would recognize the “Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement,” an ongoing initiative by state and local governments to address the collection of sales/use taxes. The agreement creates a system for companies to register with member states, collect and remit taxes and file one tax return for each state. To date, 44 states have worked to create the agreement and 24 states are participating members.  

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

President Obama has submitted legislation to Congress designed to encourage American small businesses to hire new workers and expand operations. The $447 billion plan includes cutting the payroll tax in half for American companies on the first $5 million in payroll. The bill would also provide a complete payroll tax holiday for businesses that add new workers or increase the wages of current workers (up to the first $50 million in payroll). Companies that hire long-term unemployed workers would be provided a $4,000 tax credit. 

The bill would extend the current provision, which allows companies to expense most newly purchased assets over one year as opposed to depreciating it over multiple years. Among many other provisions, the plan would also create a National Infrastructure Bank to finance highway, rail and airport construction projects. The Obama Administration proposes to pay for the so-called “American Jobs Act” by limiting tax deductions for individuals making more than $200,000 a year and families earning more than $250,000. Congress has begun considering the bill. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

President Obama has submitted legislation to Congress designed to encourage American small businesses to hire new workers and expand operations. The $447 billion plan includes cutting the payroll tax in half for American companies on the first $5 million in payroll. The bill would also provide a complete payroll tax holiday for businesses that add new workers or increase the wages of current workers (up to the first $50 million in payroll). Companies that hire long-term unemployed workers would be provided a $4,000 tax credit. 

The bill would extend the current provision, which allows companies to expense most newly purchased assets over one year as opposed to depreciating it over multiple years. Among many other provisions, the plan would also create a National Infrastructure Bank to finance highway, rail and airport construction projects. The Obama Administration proposes to pay for the so-called “American Jobs Act” by limiting tax deductions for individuals making more than $200,000 a year and families earning more than $250,000. Congress has begun considering the bill. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

The U.S. Senate has approved legislation to overhaul the federal patent system. The bill had already been approved by the House, and the White House has indicated President Obama will sign it into law. 

Under current U.S. law, patents are granted to individuals who can prove that they were the “first to invent.” The bill will switch the United States to a “first-inventor-to-file” (FITF) system, a method used by most other nations. One major drawback to the current system is that it allows an individual to claim credit and demand royalties years after someone else has marketed a product. On the other hand, it has been considered advantageous to small businesses without the resources to get to the patent office first. 

The legislation includes changes intended to improve patent quality. It will allow third parties to submit prior art for consideration and inclusion in the patent application record after it has been published but before the patent examiner has made a decision on patentability. The legislation will also create a new “post-grant review” (PGR) procedure, allowing third parties to lodge objections on any grounds during the first nine months after a patent has been issued. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) will resolve these disputes, potentially reducing litigation costs associated with court challenges.

The new law will make a number of administrative changes as well. For example, it will make it easier for an assignee to file a patent application instead of the individual inventor. The PTO will be allowed to set patent fees and maintain a “Patent and Trademark Fee Reserve Fund” for collected monies, which should allow the agency to address the current backlog of patent applications.

The new law also expands the one-year prior use defense to all patents.  Under this important provision, even if you are not the first inventor to file, you can defend yourself against a lawsuit if you made commercial use of the invention at least 1 year prior to the filing date of the patent sought to be enforced.

The patent reform law will also halt “false marking” lawsuits in which a company is sued because an expired patent is listed on its product label. An estimated 450 lawsuits around the country may be dismissed as a consequence.

The legislation has been debated and refined over the past six years and represents the first significant change to the U.S. patent system since 1952. Although adopting the first-inventor-to-file system is contentious, SEMA believes the new law will generally make valuable improvements which allow higher-quality patents to be issued in a more timely fashion.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. Senate has approved legislation to overhaul the federal patent system. The bill had already been approved by the House, and the White House has indicated President Obama will sign it into law. 

Under current U.S. law, patents are granted to individuals who can prove that they were the “first to invent.” The bill will switch the United States to a “first-inventor-to-file” (FITF) system, a method used by most other nations. One major drawback to the current system is that it allows an individual to claim credit and demand royalties years after someone else has marketed a product. On the other hand, it has been considered advantageous to small businesses without the resources to get to the patent office first. 

The legislation includes changes intended to improve patent quality. It will allow third parties to submit prior art for consideration and inclusion in the patent application record after it has been published but before the patent examiner has made a decision on patentability. The legislation will also create a new “post-grant review” (PGR) procedure, allowing third parties to lodge objections on any grounds during the first nine months after a patent has been issued. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) will resolve these disputes, potentially reducing litigation costs associated with court challenges.

The new law will make a number of administrative changes as well. For example, it will make it easier for an assignee to file a patent application instead of the individual inventor. The PTO will be allowed to set patent fees and maintain a “Patent and Trademark Fee Reserve Fund” for collected monies, which should allow the agency to address the current backlog of patent applications.

The new law also expands the one-year prior use defense to all patents.  Under this important provision, even if you are not the first inventor to file, you can defend yourself against a lawsuit if you made commercial use of the invention at least 1 year prior to the filing date of the patent sought to be enforced.

The patent reform law will also halt “false marking” lawsuits in which a company is sued because an expired patent is listed on its product label. An estimated 450 lawsuits around the country may be dismissed as a consequence.

The legislation has been debated and refined over the past six years and represents the first significant change to the U.S. patent system since 1952. Although adopting the first-inventor-to-file system is contentious, SEMA believes the new law will generally make valuable improvements which allow higher-quality patents to be issued in a more timely fashion.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.