WASHINGTON, D.C. – William Mansfield, director of intellectual property for ABRO Industries Inc., testified this week before a House Small Business Committee hearing entitled "The Impact of Intellectual Property on Entrepreneurship and Job Creation." Mansfield testified on behalf of ABRO and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

"Intellectual property and strong IP protections are critical to the success of motor vehicle parts manufacturers who continually innovate and develop new technologies," Mansfield stated in his testimony, which continued to include information on the economic impact of intellectual property violations, heath and safety concerns with counterfeit motor vehicle parts, and ways for the government and industry to work together to promote stronger intellectual property protection.

MEMA is encouraging members of the Committee and Congress to:

- Fully implement the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act which was signed in to law in 2008;
- Promote a robust international system of intellectual property laws while strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries and key trading partners, including additional support for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a strong, comprehensive an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement; and
- Increase the number of IP Attachés at U.S. Embassies.

"Protecting intellectual property is of the utmost importance to companies like ABRO as well as MEMA," said Ann Wilson, MEMA's senior vice president of government affairs. "We must work together to see that existing laws are enforced, overseas IP protections continue to improve and that necessary resources are utilized to safeguard the investment made by companies and individuals across all industries and sectors."

Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in domestic production of new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 248 million vehicles on the road today.

MEMA supports its members through its three affiliate associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA represents more than 650 member companies with global motor vehicle parts sales exceeding $600 billion and 65% of North American automotive supplier sales.