The SEMA Cruise kicks off the Show’s Friday night fun as the display vehicles parade across the street and congregate in the Gold Lot for SEMA Ignited.

Auto enthusiasts and consumers can now visit the SEMA Ignited website to purchase tickets to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after party that connects the general public with industry leaders, celebrities and award-winning custom vehicles.

The Friday-night festival takes place immediately after the SEMA Show closes on November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. As vehicles exit the Las Vegas Convention Center, they will parade across the street and congregate in what is known as the Gold Lot. The customized rides will be displayed in either a hot-rod, truck, sport-compact or general village area for consumers to get up close with vehicles that feature new and innovative products from the coveted trade-only SEMA Show.

The night will include vehicle demonstrations, automotive celebrities and plenty of entertainment.

Entrance into the event is free for credentialed SEMA Showgoers. Consumers can purchase tickets at 50% off the regular fee of $20 until July 6, 2015. Students and military members are free but must still register for tickets. Children ages 12 and under are free with a paid general admission ticket. Additional details about the event are available at www.semaignited.com.

	The SEMA Cruise kicks off the Show’s Friday night fun as the display vehicles parade across the street and congregate in the Gold Lot for SEMA Ignited.

Auto enthusiasts and consumers can now visit the SEMA Ignited website to purchase tickets to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after party that connects the general public with industry leaders, celebrities and award-winning custom vehicles.

The Friday-night festival takes place immediately after the SEMA Show closes on November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. As vehicles exit the Las Vegas Convention Center, they will parade across the street and congregate in what is known as the Gold Lot. The customized rides will be displayed in either a hot-rod, truck, sport-compact or general village area for consumers to get up close with vehicles that feature new and innovative products from the coveted trade-only SEMA Show.

The night will include vehicle demonstrations, automotive celebrities and plenty of entertainment.

Entrance into the event is free for credentialed SEMA Showgoers. Consumers can purchase tickets at 50% off the regular fee of $20 until July 6, 2015. Students and military members are free but must still register for tickets. Children ages 12 and under are free with a paid general admission ticket. Additional details about the event are available at www.semaignited.com.

	The SEMA Cruise kicks off the Show’s Friday night fun as the display vehicles parade across the street and congregate in the Gold Lot for SEMA Ignited.

Auto enthusiasts and consumers can now visit the SEMA Ignited website to purchase tickets to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after party that connects the general public with industry leaders, celebrities and award-winning custom vehicles.

The Friday-night festival takes place immediately after the SEMA Show closes on November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. As vehicles exit the Las Vegas Convention Center, they will parade across the street and congregate in what is known as the Gold Lot. The customized rides will be displayed in either a hot-rod, truck, sport-compact or general village area for consumers to get up close with vehicles that feature new and innovative products from the coveted trade-only SEMA Show.

The night will include vehicle demonstrations, automotive celebrities and plenty of entertainment.

Entrance into the event is free for credentialed SEMA Showgoers. Consumers can purchase tickets at 50% off the regular fee of $20 until July 6, 2015. Students and military members are free but must still register for tickets. Children ages 12 and under are free with a paid general admission ticket. Additional details about the event are available at www.semaignited.com.

	The SEMA Cruise kicks off the Show’s Friday night fun as the display vehicles parade across the street and congregate in the Gold Lot for SEMA Ignited.

Auto enthusiasts and consumers can now visit the SEMA Ignited website to purchase tickets to attend SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after party that connects the general public with industry leaders, celebrities and award-winning custom vehicles.

The Friday-night festival takes place immediately after the SEMA Show closes on November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. As vehicles exit the Las Vegas Convention Center, they will parade across the street and congregate in what is known as the Gold Lot. The customized rides will be displayed in either a hot-rod, truck, sport-compact or general village area for consumers to get up close with vehicles that feature new and innovative products from the coveted trade-only SEMA Show.

The night will include vehicle demonstrations, automotive celebrities and plenty of entertainment.

Entrance into the event is free for credentialed SEMA Showgoers. Consumers can purchase tickets at 50% off the regular fee of $20 until July 6, 2015. Students and military members are free but must still register for tickets. Children ages 12 and under are free with a paid general admission ticket. Additional details about the event are available at www.semaignited.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 


The Judiciary Committees in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed legislation targeting “patent trolls,” which are companies that aggressively enforce their patents rights beyond the scope of the actual patents. Patent trolls frequently obtain patents for goods and services they have no intention of offering and on common technologies or business practices. The trolls then send “demand” letters threatening patent-infringement lawsuits against unsuspecting businesses unless the business pays for a license. Companies may settle claims rather than risk court action, and settlements fund the trolls and encourage more trolling.

The bills approved by the House and Senate Judiciary Committees make patent ownership and licensing more transparent and would help to curtail patent-troll activity by requiring entities claiming patent infringement to clearly outline their claims in patent demand letters and to the courts. Costs associated with patent litigation would be controlled by providing mechanisms to delay the discovery process, which can cost non-infringing entities significant sums of money, and by allowing retailers at the end of the supply chain to continue to sell a product subject to patent litigation. The bills also create a small-business education and outreach program within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to assist companies caught in patent-infringement cases.

The two bills differ in a few ways, with only the House bill requiring patent-infringement suits be brought in judicial districts that have some reasonable connection to the dispute. The House bill also includes a "loser pays" provision to help prevent frivolous lawsuits by requiring the loser to pay the winner's legal fees. The Senate bill requires the loser to pay if a court determines the losing party was not objectively reasonable in initiating the lawsuit. The respective bills now go to the House and Senate floor for consideration.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee also approved legislation earlier this year to create a federal standard regarding patent trolls, which would preempt 20 different state laws on the issue. This bill 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. This legislation also awaits consideration by the full House.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 


The Judiciary Committees in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed legislation targeting “patent trolls,” which are companies that aggressively enforce their patents rights beyond the scope of the actual patents. Patent trolls frequently obtain patents for goods and services they have no intention of offering and on common technologies or business practices. The trolls then send “demand” letters threatening patent-infringement lawsuits against unsuspecting businesses unless the business pays for a license. Companies may settle claims rather than risk court action, and settlements fund the trolls and encourage more trolling.

The bills approved by the House and Senate Judiciary Committees make patent ownership and licensing more transparent and would help to curtail patent-troll activity by requiring entities claiming patent infringement to clearly outline their claims in patent demand letters and to the courts. Costs associated with patent litigation would be controlled by providing mechanisms to delay the discovery process, which can cost non-infringing entities significant sums of money, and by allowing retailers at the end of the supply chain to continue to sell a product subject to patent litigation. The bills also create a small-business education and outreach program within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to assist companies caught in patent-infringement cases.

The two bills differ in a few ways, with only the House bill requiring patent-infringement suits be brought in judicial districts that have some reasonable connection to the dispute. The House bill also includes a "loser pays" provision to help prevent frivolous lawsuits by requiring the loser to pay the winner's legal fees. The Senate bill requires the loser to pay if a court determines the losing party was not objectively reasonable in initiating the lawsuit. The respective bills now go to the House and Senate floor for consideration.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee also approved legislation earlier this year to create a federal standard regarding patent trolls, which would preempt 20 different state laws on the issue. This bill 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. This legislation also awaits consideration by the full House.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 


The Judiciary Committees in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed legislation targeting “patent trolls,” which are companies that aggressively enforce their patents rights beyond the scope of the actual patents. Patent trolls frequently obtain patents for goods and services they have no intention of offering and on common technologies or business practices. The trolls then send “demand” letters threatening patent-infringement lawsuits against unsuspecting businesses unless the business pays for a license. Companies may settle claims rather than risk court action, and settlements fund the trolls and encourage more trolling.

The bills approved by the House and Senate Judiciary Committees make patent ownership and licensing more transparent and would help to curtail patent-troll activity by requiring entities claiming patent infringement to clearly outline their claims in patent demand letters and to the courts. Costs associated with patent litigation would be controlled by providing mechanisms to delay the discovery process, which can cost non-infringing entities significant sums of money, and by allowing retailers at the end of the supply chain to continue to sell a product subject to patent litigation. The bills also create a small-business education and outreach program within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to assist companies caught in patent-infringement cases.

The two bills differ in a few ways, with only the House bill requiring patent-infringement suits be brought in judicial districts that have some reasonable connection to the dispute. The House bill also includes a "loser pays" provision to help prevent frivolous lawsuits by requiring the loser to pay the winner's legal fees. The Senate bill requires the loser to pay if a court determines the losing party was not objectively reasonable in initiating the lawsuit. The respective bills now go to the House and Senate floor for consideration.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee also approved legislation earlier this year to create a federal standard regarding patent trolls, which would preempt 20 different state laws on the issue. This bill 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. This legislation also awaits consideration by the full House.

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

By Becca Butler

More than 125 builders competed in the inaugural SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, where they battled their way onto a nationwide TV special and gained the recognition of more than 2 million viewers around the world.

While builders begin to sign up for the 2015 competition, past participants commented on what the program meant to them:

“To be selected as part of an elite few is something you cannot put a name to. Think of it as a nobel prize of the automotive community.”

—Bisi Ezerioha

“Being in the Top 10 is unreal. You’re competing with the best of the best. Everybody that’s anybody is here.”

—Bobby Alloway

“It’s about as pristine as it gets if you win the SEMA Battle of the Builders.”

—Dale Dondel

“I’m honored to be selected. I never thought I’d be here.”

—Jeff Kinsey

“You can’t really put it into words what it’s like to be part of the top 10.”

—Mike Ring

“We’re very proud and honored to be a part of Battle of the Builders.”

—Sherif Yassa

Open to vehicles from all market segments, contestants can enter the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders at www.semaignited.com.

Find out more about some of the 2014 competitors and hear what they have to say.

By Becca Butler

More than 125 builders competed in the inaugural SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, where they battled their way onto a nationwide TV special and gained the recognition of more than 2 million viewers around the world.

While builders begin to sign up for the 2015 competition, past participants commented on what the program meant to them:

“To be selected as part of an elite few is something you cannot put a name to. Think of it as a nobel prize of the automotive community.”

—Bisi Ezerioha

“Being in the Top 10 is unreal. You’re competing with the best of the best. Everybody that’s anybody is here.”

—Bobby Alloway

“It’s about as pristine as it gets if you win the SEMA Battle of the Builders.”

—Dale Dondel

“I’m honored to be selected. I never thought I’d be here.”

—Jeff Kinsey

“You can’t really put it into words what it’s like to be part of the top 10.”

—Mike Ring

“We’re very proud and honored to be a part of Battle of the Builders.”

—Sherif Yassa

Open to vehicles from all market segments, contestants can enter the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders at www.semaignited.com.

Find out more about some of the 2014 competitors and hear what they have to say.

By Becca Butler

More than 125 builders competed in the inaugural SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, where they battled their way onto a nationwide TV special and gained the recognition of more than 2 million viewers around the world.

While builders begin to sign up for the 2015 competition, past participants commented on what the program meant to them:

“To be selected as part of an elite few is something you cannot put a name to. Think of it as a nobel prize of the automotive community.”

—Bisi Ezerioha

“Being in the Top 10 is unreal. You’re competing with the best of the best. Everybody that’s anybody is here.”

—Bobby Alloway

“It’s about as pristine as it gets if you win the SEMA Battle of the Builders.”

—Dale Dondel

“I’m honored to be selected. I never thought I’d be here.”

—Jeff Kinsey

“You can’t really put it into words what it’s like to be part of the top 10.”

—Mike Ring

“We’re very proud and honored to be a part of Battle of the Builders.”

—Sherif Yassa

Open to vehicles from all market segments, contestants can enter the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders at www.semaignited.com.

Find out more about some of the 2014 competitors and hear what they have to say.