FESI Continued.
We have secured the exclusion of Special Technology Athletic Footwear (STAF) from the investigation as a whole; the definitive duties have been substantially reduced from the level set in the provisional round and for the first time ever, the duration of the duties has been reduced from the standard five years to just two.
The other major issue for 2006 is an industry wide opposition to the proliferation of compulsory licensing schemes being introduced by International Sports Federations. FESI is pressing the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) to take the lead on this pressing issue.
Intellectual Property Rights- The major issues for 2006 and continuing into next year are continuing dialogue with Turkey and Customs to try to stem the flow of counterfeit goods from that region. In addition meetings have been set up with eBay in an attempt to establish methodology to stop the selling of obviously counterfeit sporting goods items on the popular internet site. 2008 sees Switzerland & Austria hosting UEFA European Cup. FESI is in the group of organising collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, including organising committees, sports federations, sponsors, ticket distributors, enforcement authorities, trading standards and national IPR offices.
Other Committees include: Product Safety, Ski, Supply Chain, UEFA, Membership and Statistical, all working on specific issues.
In summary, FESI is going from strength to strength. The Sporting Goods Industry has an organisation which is recognised and respected by both the EU Parliament and Commission, and the voice of the industry is being heard.
