The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) stands behind a pending bill that aims to strengthen the government’s ability to protect intellectual property by increasing related enforcement, prosecution and penalties. Ann Wilson, MEMA’s senior vice president of government affairs cheered Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) for the introduction of the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008, a bill that would strengthen laws to prohibit transshipment and export of counterfeit goods and improve coordination within the federal agencies that protect intellectual property. "This bill is an excellent first step and addresses many of the issues the supplier industry faces when addressing intellectual property violations," says Wilson. "We look forward to working with the Senate as the bill moves forward to better protect manufacturers' intellectual property." MEMA represents motor vehicle parts suppliers, the nation's largest manufacturing sector, which contributes to 4.5 million private industry jobs across the country. Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in the domestic production of more than 11 million new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 247 million vehicles on the road today. MEMA supports its members through its three market segment associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). For more information, visit MEMA online. | 
