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.

With news that Ford is planning to unveil a new Taurus at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show, KGP Photography has fresh shots of a less-disguised prototype testing on I-94 in Detroit. Seeing the car among other traffic without its heavy vinyl padding, you can't miss its strong stance, which carries more presence than originally thought.

There is some speculation that this Taurus is a foreign-market model, but economies-of-scale would encourage Ford to replace the current, outdated, Volvo-based Taurus off this new model, which rides on a lengthened CD4 platform spun off the Ford Fusion. The latest reports from the auto analysts at AutoPacific have this new Taurus pegged to replace the current model, which means this is the best look yet at the next-generation Taurus testing on U.S. soil. 

Photo credit: KGP Photography

With news that Ford is planning to unveil a new Taurus at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show, KGP Photography has fresh shots of a less-disguised prototype testing on I-94 in Detroit. Seeing the car among other traffic without its heavy vinyl padding, you can't miss its strong stance, which carries more presence than originally thought.

There is some speculation that this Taurus is a foreign-market model, but economies-of-scale would encourage Ford to replace the current, outdated, Volvo-based Taurus off this new model, which rides on a lengthened CD4 platform spun off the Ford Fusion. The latest reports from the auto analysts at AutoPacific have this new Taurus pegged to replace the current model, which means this is the best look yet at the next-generation Taurus testing on U.S. soil. 

Photo credit: KGP Photography

With news that Ford is planning to unveil a new Taurus at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show, KGP Photography has fresh shots of a less-disguised prototype testing on I-94 in Detroit. Seeing the car among other traffic without its heavy vinyl padding, you can't miss its strong stance, which carries more presence than originally thought.

There is some speculation that this Taurus is a foreign-market model, but economies-of-scale would encourage Ford to replace the current, outdated, Volvo-based Taurus off this new model, which rides on a lengthened CD4 platform spun off the Ford Fusion. The latest reports from the auto analysts at AutoPacific have this new Taurus pegged to replace the current model, which means this is the best look yet at the next-generation Taurus testing on U.S. soil. 

Photo credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Editors

Details with ballots and links for the 2015 SEMA Board election will be sent to each member company’s designated primary contact beginning in May. Current SEMA-member companies have the opportunity to cast their votes online between May 13–June 9. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact.

Winners will be announced in June and formally introduced as the newest SEMA Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation Gala in July.

2015 SEMA Board of Director Candidates

Jim Bingham	Susan Carpenter	Laurel Dasher	Donnie Eatherly
Dave Edmondson	Nick Gramelspacher	Dan Kahn	Wade Kawasaki
Clint Sly	Parley Valora	David Ziozios

Voting Categories and Seats Open

Chairman-Elect Category (one open seat)

• Donnie Eatherly – President and CEO, P&E Distributors
• Wade Kawasaki – President and COO, Coker Group

Manufacturers Category (two open seats)

• Susan Carpenter – President, JR Products
• Laurel Dasher – Northeast Sales Manager, Powerteq
• Dave Edmondson – Senior Vice President, Roadwire

Distributor/Retailer Category (two open seats)

• Jim Bingham (Incumbent) – President and CEO, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom
• Nick Gramelspacher (Incumbent) – Vice President Sales & Marketing, Meyer Distributing
• Parley Valora – Vice President, Premier Performance
• David Ziozios – CEO, Motovicity Distribution

Services Category (one open seat)

• Dan Kahn – President, Kahn Media
• Clint Sly – Chief Marketing Officer, Hagerty Insurance Co.