In a series of virtual Fly-In sessions on July 22-23, members of the AASA Intellectual Property Council (IPC) met with congressional leaders about the urgent need for legislation to protect automotive aftermarket suppliers and support future innovation of motor vehicle technologies. The conversations focused on the endorsement, co-sponsorship, and passage of the SHOP SAFE Act (H.R. 6058) and the INFORM Consumers Act (S. 3431).
The SHOP SAFE Act (H.R. 6058), introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrod Nadler (D-N.Y.), Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, and Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, would require online sellers to help prevent the sale of counterfeit products to consumers.
The INFORM Consumers Act (S. 3431), introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), would help combat the online sale of stolen, counterfeit, and dangerous consumer products by providing for greater transparency of high-volume, third-party sellers on online retail marketplaces. Rep. Jan Schakowsky introduced the House companion version of this bill, H.R. 7756.
“Intellectual Property Rights protection that keeps up with the latest advancements in online retailing is critical to the sustained success of motor vehicle parts manufacturers,” said Clayton Lindgren, senior manager country approval and brand protection, Robert Bosch LLC, and IPC Chairman. “Intellectual Property Rights, including trademarks and brands, are among aftermarket suppliers’ most valuable assets. Programs to protect these rights are essential to supporting future vehicle innovation and the largest sector of manufacturing jobs in the United States.”
Legislative staff from the following congressional representatives participated in the discussions:
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
- Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.)
- Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.-03)
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
- Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio-07)
- Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.-08)
- Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.)
- Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.)
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09)
- Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.-11)
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
