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Thu, 04/10/2008 - 00:00
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
Is your company under siege by counterfeit products and illegal knock-offs? Are your trademarks or patents being infringed? Are your marketing materials being copied? Then mark your calendar, and plan to tune in for a timely discussion on how to implement a legal strategy to protect your intellectual property—your company’s patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.
Lead by prominent IP attorneys with firsthand knowledge of the specialty aftermarket, this informative SEMA webinar will cover the basics, from deciding what IP needs protection to registering your IP with the proper government authorities and developing a plan to enforce your IP rights. The panelists will share valuable tips on working with United States Customs and other agencies to help stop the importation of counterfeit or infringing products. Time will also be set aside for your questions.
Why lose market share and profits due to IP infringement? Know your rights.
Title: Developing Strategies to Protect Your Intellectual Property
When: Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.(PST)
Presenters: Robert J. Roby, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear; Merritt R. Blakeslee, deKieffer & Horgan; Stuart Gosswein, SEMA (moderator)
The SEMA webinar will include:
- A quick IP primer discussing the different types of intellectual property: utility patents (protecting functions), design patents (protecting appearances), copyrights (protecting expressions), trademarks/trade dress (protecting source identifiers) and trade secrets (e.g., secret formulas, customer lists).
- Tips on setting up your company’s IP budget and conducting a cost/benefit analysis on what to register (since not everything merits, or is eligible for, IP protection).
- Mechanisms for using your IP to protect your market share, such as license agreements, cease and desist letters, infringement lawsuits, Section 337 investigations, exclusion orders, U.S. Customs registration, private investigations, Internet enforcement, etc.
- Suggestions on protecting your IP in a global economy: the difference between international and domestic registrations, protecting your IP when outsourcing, etc.
Learn today, earn tomorrow. Tune in on Thursday or lose your shirt to counterfeit/illegal knockoffs of your products.
For more information on SEMA webinars, visit www.sema.org/webinar.
SEMA's Webinar Program
The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show Education Week right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly being added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers. All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone.
All previously conducted SEMA webinars are available to download anytime by clicking here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via the telephone and Internet, click here.
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
The success of the annual SEMA Show was repeated in 2007, this time marked by a three-year high in buyer attendance with half of all attendees registered as buyers.
There was a total of 73,132 registered buyers at the 2007 Show, an increase of 16% from 2006 when there were 62,895 buyers, and 6% higher than 2005 when there were 68,896 buyers.
At the 2007 Show, 50% of all attendees were buyers, 28% were exhibitors and 22% were registered as non-buyer/other.
Buyer enthusiasm was even stronger among international attendance—15,983 or 58% of all international attendees were buyers, 24% were exhibitors and 18% were registered as non-buyers/other.
“These numbers are highlighting the fact that exhibitors continue to showcase cutting-edge products and technologies that can only be found in one place—the SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “In fact, the showcase they produce is so compelling that an increasing number of buyers are willing to travel from halfway around the world to attend the Show. It's exciting to see industry members continue to influence markets around the world.”
With such a significant portion of buyers in attendance, it is no surprise that the SEMA Show Attendee Survey revealed that 83% of attendees make purchases after the Show. Each exhibitor averages 353 leads.
“We have scored some big accounts. These are absolutely qualified leads!” said Debbie Casson, a 2007 SEMA Show exhibitor.
Attendee registration for the 2008 SEMA Show is now available by clicking here. For more information on the 2008 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
Plans are underway for the return of the live and silent auctions taking place at the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. Already confirmed are two rare items. The first is a Victory motorcycle that was ridden by Kyle Petty on one of his cross-country charity rides. The other item is a seat/reservation to take part in Kyle Petty’s “Ride Across America” charity ride. The annual trek features NASCAR celebrities and often has hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts waiting to participate.
The fundraising activities were incorporated into the SEMA Installation Banquet last year, providing SEMA members and the industry with an opportunity to fully celebrate the health and prosperity of the industry. More than 600 individuals attended the festivities, which included a charity golf tournament, live and silent auctions, dinner and entertainment. Complete details about this year’s event taking place Friday, July 25, are available at www.sema.org/gala.
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
The annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser will feature the inaugural SEMA Pine Wood Derby Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing. The checkered flag will drop Friday, July 25, prior to the SEMA Hall of Fame recognition and fundraising activities. According to Race Director and Pine Wood Derby veteran Mike Spagnola, the inaugural event will feature three race classes: Stock, Modified and Unlimited classes. All proceeds will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp USA children's charities.
For more information, rules and details about entering, click here.
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
Last year, more than 600 members of the industry gathered at the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser to pay tribute to the 2007 Hall of Fame inductees and to honor newly elected and outgoing members of the SEMA Board of Directors. With the Gala Fundraiser added to the annual event for the first time in 2007, the industry raised more than $200,000 for children's charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.
The 2008 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser is set for Friday, July 25, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California. Proceeds from the event and its associated fundraising activities will once again be contributed to Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Details on the sponsorship opportunities available for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser are available by clicking here. For complete information on the event, click here.
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
The following are candidates for the 2008 SEMA Board of Directors' election. The ballots are scheduled to be mailed in May. For more information regarding the SEMA Board of Directors election or the voting process, contact Christine Papavero at christinep@sema.org.
Manufacturers Category - Four Open Seats
- Chris Thomson, National Sales Manager, AIRAID Filter Co. (Incumbent)
- Bill Wagner, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Winfield Consumer Products (Incumbent)
- Ron Funfar, President/COO, Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt
- BJ Leanse, North America Sales Manager, Big Country Truck Accessories
- Mark Vogt, General Manager, Classic Industries
- Tim Watts, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Superlift Suspension Systems
Alternate: Larry Norris, Global Vice President, MagnaFlow Performance
Distributor/Retailer Category - Three Open Seats
- Ralph Accinno, President, Racers Equipment Warehouse (Incumbent)
- Luanne Brown, CEO/President, eTool Developers
- Bob Moore, President, Bob Moore & Partners
- Ed Orzetti, President/CEO, Keystone Automotive Operations
- Dan Smith, President, Capstone Financial Group
Alternate: Gary Light, President, Speed Warehouse
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
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Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
With all the buzz about an upcoming body-on-frame pickup from Volkswagen, the timing seems perfect for these early pictures from the spy shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. of a developmental test mule.
Hiding underneath this well-modified Toyota Hi-Lux shell is the all-new pickup from VW. Brenda Priddy & Co. reports that markets are expected to include Europe and South America—as well as North America.
Look for VW’s pickup to arrive for the 2010 model year.
Thu, 04/03/2008 - 00:00
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