Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, a provider of commercial vehicle safety and braking system technologies, testified before a Senate subcommittee yesterday on protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights.
“The sophistication of counterfeit operations has improved to the point of making it difficult for consumers to discern the real from the copy,” Anthony C. LaPlaca, vp & general counsel for Bendix said. “But in terms of performance, quality and actual costs, there are obvious differences. And for Bendix, in particular, dealing with components and systems that directly influence the braking ability of a heavy truck – with its impact on vehicle operation, driver safety and the safety of others who share the highway – underscores the need to control this issue.”
LaPlaca testified before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia about the impact of knock-off and non-genuine parts on vehicle brake performance, overall highway safety, brand equity and “millions” in lost revenue for legitimate component manufacturers.
“Bendix components and systems relate directly to the safe and reliable function of the air brake system on commercial vehicles,” LaPlaca said.
Copies of LaPlaca’s written testimony is available at http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/072606LaPlaca.pdf
