Industry Event Tackles Counterfeit Parts Problem

On April 5, the Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association will be presenting an event designed to provide real working models for combatting the multi-billion dollar impact of counterfeit parts on the automotive aftermarket.
Scheduled for the Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Mich., this one-day seminar follows up MEMA’s first counterfeiting seminar on Oct. 1, 2003, which defined the problem.
The April 5 seminar presented by MEMA and its market segment associations: AASA, HDMA and OESA will examine best practices
against counterfeiting, diversion and IPR violations and increase dialogue among suppliers to address the issue.
Speakers will include: Tony Bol, manager of investigations, General Motors Corp.; Richard Halverson, enforcement program and International Counterfeiting Enforcement (ICE) international affairs, Department of [U.S.] Homeland Security; and Lisa Fortunato, 3M Corp.
Topics slated for discussion are: best practices: what other industries are doing; how the government can help; return on investment model; justifying the cost to fight these challenges; and more.
The seminar will include two breakout sessions, so participants will be to learn more about defending yourself against IPR violations, stopping diversion, and dealing with China.