By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	The House and Senate approved compromise legislation to allow the issuance of only a single license plate to historic vehicles and street rods.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	The House and Senate approved compromise legislation to allow the issuance of only a single license plate to historic vehicles and street rods.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	The House and Senate approved compromise legislation to allow the issuance of only a single license plate to historic vehicles and street rods.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	The House and Senate approved compromise legislation to allow the issuance of only a single license plate to historic vehicles and street rods.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Commerce, Manufacturing & Trade Subcommittee passed legislation targeting “patent trolls” that defraud unsuspecting businesses by falsely asserting patent rights. The trolls frequently purchase patents for goods and services they have no plans of producing and then send “demand” letters to companies seeking royalties and threatening patent infringement lawsuits. The trolls may also claim patent rights to common technologies or business practices whereby companies settle the claim rather than risk court action, providing funds to encourage more trolling. 

While 20 states have laws to protect businesses and individuals against entities engaging in this deceptive practice, there is no federal standard at present. The legislation advancing in Congress outlines unfair and deceptive acts, provides the Federal Trade Commission with authority to investigate abusive practices and enforce the proposed law, and creates civil penalties of up to $5 million for related violations. The bill now goes to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for its consideration. 

For more information, please contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Commerce, Manufacturing & Trade Subcommittee passed legislation targeting “patent trolls” that defraud unsuspecting businesses by falsely asserting patent rights. The trolls frequently purchase patents for goods and services they have no plans of producing and then send “demand” letters to companies seeking royalties and threatening patent infringement lawsuits. The trolls may also claim patent rights to common technologies or business practices whereby companies settle the claim rather than risk court action, providing funds to encourage more trolling. 

While 20 states have laws to protect businesses and individuals against entities engaging in this deceptive practice, there is no federal standard at present. The legislation advancing in Congress outlines unfair and deceptive acts, provides the Federal Trade Commission with authority to investigate abusive practices and enforce the proposed law, and creates civil penalties of up to $5 million for related violations. The bill now goes to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for its consideration. 

For more information, please contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Commerce, Manufacturing & Trade Subcommittee passed legislation targeting “patent trolls” that defraud unsuspecting businesses by falsely asserting patent rights. The trolls frequently purchase patents for goods and services they have no plans of producing and then send “demand” letters to companies seeking royalties and threatening patent infringement lawsuits. The trolls may also claim patent rights to common technologies or business practices whereby companies settle the claim rather than risk court action, providing funds to encourage more trolling. 

While 20 states have laws to protect businesses and individuals against entities engaging in this deceptive practice, there is no federal standard at present. The legislation advancing in Congress outlines unfair and deceptive acts, provides the Federal Trade Commission with authority to investigate abusive practices and enforce the proposed law, and creates civil penalties of up to $5 million for related violations. The bill now goes to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for its consideration. 

For more information, please contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
The U.S. Department of Interior has decided not to place the bi-state sage grouse on the Endangered Species list. This particular species of sage grouse lives in California and Nevada and was placed on the “threatened” list in 2013. The Interior Department has now determined that voluntary conservation efforts are enough to protect the bird. The decision is welcome news to off-road enthusiasts given that endangered species designations often result in the federal government closing down land previously available for motorized recreation. 

Just last November, the federal government listed another species of sage grouse exclusive to Colorado and Utah on the threatened list. This fall, the Interior Department is scheduled to make a decision on the largest issue, whether the greater sage grouse is endangered or it can be adequately protected via comprehensive voluntary efforts. The bird’s habitat spans 165 million acres across 11 western states. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
The U.S. Department of Interior has decided not to place the bi-state sage grouse on the Endangered Species list. This particular species of sage grouse lives in California and Nevada and was placed on the “threatened” list in 2013. The Interior Department has now determined that voluntary conservation efforts are enough to protect the bird. The decision is welcome news to off-road enthusiasts given that endangered species designations often result in the federal government closing down land previously available for motorized recreation. 

Just last November, the federal government listed another species of sage grouse exclusive to Colorado and Utah on the threatened list. This fall, the Interior Department is scheduled to make a decision on the largest issue, whether the greater sage grouse is endangered or it can be adequately protected via comprehensive voluntary efforts. The bird’s habitat spans 165 million acres across 11 western states. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
The U.S. Department of Interior has decided not to place the bi-state sage grouse on the Endangered Species list. This particular species of sage grouse lives in California and Nevada and was placed on the “threatened” list in 2013. The Interior Department has now determined that voluntary conservation efforts are enough to protect the bird. The decision is welcome news to off-road enthusiasts given that endangered species designations often result in the federal government closing down land previously available for motorized recreation. 

Just last November, the federal government listed another species of sage grouse exclusive to Colorado and Utah on the threatened list. This fall, the Interior Department is scheduled to make a decision on the largest issue, whether the greater sage grouse is endangered or it can be adequately protected via comprehensive voluntary efforts. The bird’s habitat spans 165 million acres across 11 western states. 

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