By Linda Spencer

Alibaba staff from the company’s U.S. and Chinese offices (pic­tured is Stephanie Yu from the company’s office in Hangzhou, China) conducted a hands-on workshop at the recent SEMA Export Fair on how to use China’s mega e-commerce site’s intellectual property platform. The session provided participants with a step-by-step guide on how to actively monitor Alibaba (or its Tencent sister website) to search for and submit requests for the removal of products from vendors that are infringing on a rights holder’s trademark, copyright and/or pat­ents. Alibaba will shortly publish a handbook outlining these steps. SEMA has received advanced copies, which are being made available to members.

An advanced copy of a new handbook created by Alibaba with the steps to take if you see unauthorized versions of your products in their mega online mall is available through SEMA, courtesy of Alibaba. Sign up to receive a copy of the handbook.

Additional Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Resources

To help members navigate IP issues, SEMA maintains informational materials online and staff is available year-round to help answer IP-related questions.

The federal government also has a handy website listing best practices for companies to protect their IP abroad. Included on the comprehensive site is an online course and a list of upcoming events.

Ultimately, companies may need legal counsel outside of SEMA and the U.S. government to represent your interests and advise on specifics, but both SEMA and the U.S. government are available to provide information and help guide members in the right direction.

By Linda Spencer

Alibaba staff from the company’s U.S. and Chinese offices (pic­tured is Stephanie Yu from the company’s office in Hangzhou, China) conducted a hands-on workshop at the recent SEMA Export Fair on how to use China’s mega e-commerce site’s intellectual property platform. The session provided participants with a step-by-step guide on how to actively monitor Alibaba (or its Tencent sister website) to search for and submit requests for the removal of products from vendors that are infringing on a rights holder’s trademark, copyright and/or pat­ents. Alibaba will shortly publish a handbook outlining these steps. SEMA has received advanced copies, which are being made available to members.

An advanced copy of a new handbook created by Alibaba with the steps to take if you see unauthorized versions of your products in their mega online mall is available through SEMA, courtesy of Alibaba. Sign up to receive a copy of the handbook.

Additional Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Resources

To help members navigate IP issues, SEMA maintains informational materials online and staff is available year-round to help answer IP-related questions.

The federal government also has a handy website listing best practices for companies to protect their IP abroad. Included on the comprehensive site is an online course and a list of upcoming events.

Ultimately, companies may need legal counsel outside of SEMA and the U.S. government to represent your interests and advise on specifics, but both SEMA and the U.S. government are available to provide information and help guide members in the right direction.

By Linda Spencer

Alibaba staff from the company’s U.S. and Chinese offices (pic­tured is Stephanie Yu from the company’s office in Hangzhou, China) conducted a hands-on workshop at the recent SEMA Export Fair on how to use China’s mega e-commerce site’s intellectual property platform. The session provided participants with a step-by-step guide on how to actively monitor Alibaba (or its Tencent sister website) to search for and submit requests for the removal of products from vendors that are infringing on a rights holder’s trademark, copyright and/or pat­ents. Alibaba will shortly publish a handbook outlining these steps. SEMA has received advanced copies, which are being made available to members.

An advanced copy of a new handbook created by Alibaba with the steps to take if you see unauthorized versions of your products in their mega online mall is available through SEMA, courtesy of Alibaba. Sign up to receive a copy of the handbook.

Additional Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Resources

To help members navigate IP issues, SEMA maintains informational materials online and staff is available year-round to help answer IP-related questions.

The federal government also has a handy website listing best practices for companies to protect their IP abroad. Included on the comprehensive site is an online course and a list of upcoming events.

Ultimately, companies may need legal counsel outside of SEMA and the U.S. government to represent your interests and advise on specifics, but both SEMA and the U.S. government are available to provide information and help guide members in the right direction.

By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA, October 21, for an hour-long conference call to learn how to take advantage of federal and state funds to defray the cost of participating in SEMA overseas programs, find out which states offer money and the key contacts in each state. Participants will also learn about SEMA overseas programs and resources, including the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference and how to network with international buyers at the SEMA Show and even before it begins (hint: arrive in time to participate in Monday, November 4, activities). Also to be discussed will be international networking opportunities at PRI and future SEMA overseas program venues.

Register now for the conference call.

By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA, October 21, for an hour-long conference call to learn how to take advantage of federal and state funds to defray the cost of participating in SEMA overseas programs, find out which states offer money and the key contacts in each state. Participants will also learn about SEMA overseas programs and resources, including the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference and how to network with international buyers at the SEMA Show and even before it begins (hint: arrive in time to participate in Monday, November 4, activities). Also to be discussed will be international networking opportunities at PRI and future SEMA overseas program venues.

Register now for the conference call.

By Linda Spencer

Join SEMA, October 21, for an hour-long conference call to learn how to take advantage of federal and state funds to defray the cost of participating in SEMA overseas programs, find out which states offer money and the key contacts in each state. Participants will also learn about SEMA overseas programs and resources, including the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference and how to network with international buyers at the SEMA Show and even before it begins (hint: arrive in time to participate in Monday, November 4, activities). Also to be discussed will be international networking opportunities at PRI and future SEMA overseas program venues.

Register now for the conference call.

By Linda Spencer

First-time exhibitor Specialty Vehicle Engineering Inc./DBA Hamburger’s Superchargers Inc. attracted lots of attention among local buyers.

SEMA has won a $50,000 grant from the state of California. This is good news for California-based companies, as qualified companies are eligible for $1,500 to help defray the cost of participating in the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 7, 2020. 

This is in addition to the $1,250 available from the federal government for a total grant of $2,750 to exhibit in a turnkey booth at Custom Show Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and to participate in the first-ever SEMA trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with trade buyers, attend networking events and tour specialty-equipment shops in Riyadh.  

More information is available on SEMA’s website or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Register now!

By Linda Spencer

First-time exhibitor Specialty Vehicle Engineering Inc./DBA Hamburger’s Superchargers Inc. attracted lots of attention among local buyers.

SEMA has won a $50,000 grant from the state of California. This is good news for California-based companies, as qualified companies are eligible for $1,500 to help defray the cost of participating in the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 7, 2020. 

This is in addition to the $1,250 available from the federal government for a total grant of $2,750 to exhibit in a turnkey booth at Custom Show Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and to participate in the first-ever SEMA trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with trade buyers, attend networking events and tour specialty-equipment shops in Riyadh.  

More information is available on SEMA’s website or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Register now!

By Linda Spencer

First-time exhibitor Specialty Vehicle Engineering Inc./DBA Hamburger’s Superchargers Inc. attracted lots of attention among local buyers.

SEMA has won a $50,000 grant from the state of California. This is good news for California-based companies, as qualified companies are eligible for $1,500 to help defray the cost of participating in the upcoming SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 7, 2020. 

This is in addition to the $1,250 available from the federal government for a total grant of $2,750 to exhibit in a turnkey booth at Custom Show Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and to participate in the first-ever SEMA trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with trade buyers, attend networking events and tour specialty-equipment shops in Riyadh.  

More information is available on SEMA’s website or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Register now!

By SEMA Editors

Paul Katson	Roxanne Amiot	Rus Bacarella

SEMA and the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) have selected three finalists for the SEMA-NACAT Education Award, a recognition given to automotive educators who emphasize and instruct aftermarket technology in their classrooms.  

The three finalists, Paul Katson from MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California; Roxanne Amiot from Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Russ Bacarella from Cypress College in Cypress, California, will participate in the SEMA Education Partners Breakfast at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where the winner will be announced.

“SEMA-NACAT is happy to recognize these educators for going above and beyond to inspire students in the automotive industry,” said Zane Clark, SEMA senior director of education. “All three finalists represent a positive example by fostering professional development to promising students.”

SEMA has several student programs to introduce and encourage kids to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket, including school outreach programs and scholarships. While the NACAT Award focuses on high school or post-secondary automotive, diesel or collision programs in the United States and Canada, there are also programs focused on grade-school students and middle schools.

To learn more about the SEMA-NACAT Award or SEMA’s Educational Programs, visit www.sema.org/education.