Soaring gas prices caused the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to increase the standard business-mileage deduction by $.045, from $.51 to $.55½ for all business miles driven between July 1 and December 31, 2011. It is unusual for the IRS to make a mid-year adjustment. The mileage calculation also includes all other aspects of buying and operating a vehicle, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc. Businesses and individuals who use their car for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses. The adjusted 2011 standard rate of $.55½ per mile applies to the use of automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business purposes. 

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

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation to overhaul the federal patent system. The Senate passed a slightly different version of the bill last March. The two bills must now be reconciled into a single measure. President Obama has indicated his support for the reform measures. 

Under current U.S. law, patents are granted to individuals who can prove that they were the “first to invent.” Both the House and Senate bills would 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 provides an incentive for individuals to claim credit for a patent and demand royalties and damage awards years after a product has been on the market. On the other hand, it has been considered advantageous to small businesses without the resources to get to the patent office first. 

Both bills include changes intended to improve patent quality. They would 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 would 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) would resolve these disputes, potentially reducing litigation costs associated with court challenges.

The bills would make a number of administrative changes as well. For example, it would make it easier for an assignee to file a patent application instead of the individual inventor. The PTO would be allowed to set patent fees. The Senate would let the agency keep the fees, while House lawmakers would allow Congress to control funding. The issue is consequential since lawmakers have spent nearly $1 billion in PTO user fees on other unrelated projects. 

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

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation to overhaul the federal patent system. The Senate passed a slightly different version of the bill last March. The two bills must now be reconciled into a single measure. President Obama has indicated his support for the reform measures. 

Under current U.S. law, patents are granted to individuals who can prove that they were the “first to invent.” Both the House and Senate bills would 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 provides an incentive for individuals to claim credit for a patent and demand royalties and damage awards years after a product has been on the market. On the other hand, it has been considered advantageous to small businesses without the resources to get to the patent office first. 

Both bills include changes intended to improve patent quality. They would 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 would 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) would resolve these disputes, potentially reducing litigation costs associated with court challenges.

The bills would make a number of administrative changes as well. For example, it would make it easier for an assignee to file a patent application instead of the individual inventor. The PTO would be allowed to set patent fees. The Senate would let the agency keep the fees, while House lawmakers would allow Congress to control funding. The issue is consequential since lawmakers have spent nearly $1 billion in PTO user fees on other unrelated projects. 

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

The SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) monthly legislative newsletter, Driving Force, took home the gold medallion in the “Best Single Issue: Newsletter” category during the 20th International Automotive Media Awards, which took place June 20 at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. The International Automotive Media Competition, a function of the International Society for Vehicle Preservation, is a peer-judged awards program to recognize excellence in all forms of automotive media. The SAN provides legislative updates and feature articles to members through the Driving Force on a monthly basis.

The SAN is a unique partnership between car clubs, individual enthusiasts and members of the automotive specialty-parts industry who work together to promote pro-hobby legislation.

“As the leader in legislative advocacy on behalf of the automotive hobby, the SAN relies upon Driving Force to reach thousands of enthusiasts regarding government activity in the states and in Washington, D.C.,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA vice president of government affairs. “This recognition is a testament to its continued effectiveness in providing enthusiasts with the information they need to help effect pro-hobby governmental policies.”

Membership in the SAN is free. To join, visit www.semasan.com.

The SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) monthly legislative newsletter, Driving Force, took home the gold medallion in the “Best Single Issue: Newsletter” category during the 20th International Automotive Media Awards, which took place June 20 at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. The International Automotive Media Competition, a function of the International Society for Vehicle Preservation, is a peer-judged awards program to recognize excellence in all forms of automotive media. The SAN provides legislative updates and feature articles to members through the Driving Force on a monthly basis.

The SAN is a unique partnership between car clubs, individual enthusiasts and members of the automotive specialty-parts industry who work together to promote pro-hobby legislation.

“As the leader in legislative advocacy on behalf of the automotive hobby, the SAN relies upon Driving Force to reach thousands of enthusiasts regarding government activity in the states and in Washington, D.C.,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA vice president of government affairs. “This recognition is a testament to its continued effectiveness in providing enthusiasts with the information they need to help effect pro-hobby governmental policies.”

Membership in the SAN is free. To join, visit www.semasan.com.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide historical vehicle owners a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration was passed by the New York Senate. The bill will now be considered by the Assembly Transportation Committee. The reduced registration fee would be available to owners of historical vehicles owned and operated as an exhibition piece or collector’s item and used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses. Under current New York law, a historical motor vehicle is either a vehicle manufactured more than 25 years ago or one that has unique characteristics and is determined to be of historical, classic or exhibition value. The $100 one-time fee would replace the current annual fee of $28.75. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to provide historical vehicle owners a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration was passed by the New York Senate. The bill will now be considered by the Assembly Transportation Committee. The reduced registration fee would be available to owners of historical vehicles owned and operated as an exhibition piece or collector’s item and used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses. Under current New York law, a historical motor vehicle is either a vehicle manufactured more than 25 years ago or one that has unique characteristics and is determined to be of historical, classic or exhibition value. The $100 one-time fee would replace the current annual fee of $28.75. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that would give small-business owners a voice on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) was passed by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill has already been passed by the California Assembly. Introduced by Assemblymember Curt Hagman, who represents the Diamond Bar district in which SEMA headquarters is located, the bill would create a requirement for one CARB member to be a current owner of a small business.

CARB is a department within the California Environmental Protection Agency that is charged with the task of attaining and maintaining healthy air quality, protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants and issuing air pollution rules and regulations. The current 11-person Board does not represent the interests of the small businesses that comprise the regulated community.

In light of hard economic times and California’s continued commitment to clean air and green business practices, it is essential that small-business owners be included in important discussions and decisions made by CARB. This measure recognizes that the regulations issued by the Board directly affect small businesses and would ensure that the rights of small-business owners are represented.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation that would give small-business owners a voice on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) was passed by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill has already been passed by the California Assembly. Introduced by Assemblymember Curt Hagman, who represents the Diamond Bar district in which SEMA headquarters is located, the bill would create a requirement for one CARB member to be a current owner of a small business.

CARB is a department within the California Environmental Protection Agency that is charged with the task of attaining and maintaining healthy air quality, protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants and issuing air pollution rules and regulations. The current 11-person Board does not represent the interests of the small businesses that comprise the regulated community.

In light of hard economic times and California’s continued commitment to clean air and green business practices, it is essential that small-business owners be included in important discussions and decisions made by CARB. This measure recognizes that the regulations issued by the Board directly affect small businesses and would ensure that the rights of small-business owners are represented.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Jeep performance accessory suppliers are sought after in China. Take advantage of this opportunity by attending the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference in Beijing, China, September 7–10.

The list of products sought by Chinese buyers from throughout the country is growing. Buyers are already confirmed to attend the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference taking place in Beijing, China, September 7–10.

Among the new suppliers sought:

For Light Trucks:

• Wheel/Tire
• Exhaust
• Engine
• Interior, Exterior Styling
• Suspension
• Drivetrain
• Truck Accessories
• Jeep Performance Accessories

For Cars:

• Car Care Products
• Wheels
• Tires
• Suspension
• Engine
• New Products
• Products for European Cars

For more information on how to meet with these buyers, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.