Outdoor Industry Association Joins Fight against Rogue Websites
Outdoor industry businesses rally to support bipartisan Congressional initiative to battle online infringement
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
Media contact:
Alexander Boian, Director of Trade Policy
Outdoor Industry Association
Office: 303.327.3509
Mobile: 720.480.3560
aboian@outdoorindustry.org
Outdoor Industry Association Joins Fight against Rogue Websites
Outdoor industry businesses rally to support bipartisan Congressional initiative to battle online infringement
BOULDER, CO (April 4, 2011) – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Columbia Sportswear Company and Vibram USA, Inc., joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), and Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet, to bring attention to the continuing harm online infringement and counterfeits pose to American jobs and the economy.
“Online counterfeiting costs the outdoor industry and other American businesses billions of dollars every year,” said OIA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer. “Since the outdoor industry generates more than $289 billion in annual retail sales and services, counterfeiting directly harms and seriously undermines North American leadership in innovative outdoor products. OIA and outdoor industry businesses stand ready to support and promote bipartisan, bicameral initiatives in Congress to combat the theft of intellectual property.”
OIA has established an online counterfeit task force to support outdoor industry businesses in their battle against rogue websites that is co-chaired by Canada Goose in Toronto and Deckers Outdoor Corporation in Goleta, CA. Other task force members include Vibram USA, Inc., Columbia Sportswear, Spyder Active Sports, Timberland and several other well known U.S. outdoor brands.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous, Outdoor University, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
