Sat, 17 Jan 1998 16:57:12 -0800 - Message No. 1959
From: Phoebus Katsanos

Subject: [Fwd: LA0198:Spares prices:last chance for fairness]


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Simon Milward wrote:
> 
> ACTION
> 
> 14 January 1998
> 
> British Government requests meeting with riders
> 
> Motorcyclists have one last chance to get equality of
> treatment with car drivers in respect of prices of spare parts.
> Through its Patent Office, the British Government as current
> President of the European Union contacted MAG UK this week to
> request a meeting this Friday (16th) in London.  Representatives
> of MAG, the BMF and FEMA are expected to attend.
> 
> The hastily arranged meeting follows an intense last-minute
> effort by riders and independent producers to convince the
> Government to negotiate the same deal for motorcycle riding
> consumers as drivers in the directive on the legal protection of
> designs.  If the directive goes through as presently worded, riders
> will have to pay more for their spares, leading to increased
> insurance premiums and theft.  The British are said to have earlier
> misunderstood the powers at their disposal at this late stage of
> the legislatory process, but now seem willing to take motorcyclists'
> concerns seriously.
> 
> The first official conciliation meeting takes place on 22 January
> between governments and the Parliament.  FEMA spokesman Simon
> Milward said, "It's touch and go.  If the Brits propose equality
> of treatment at conciliation, we must ensure that it is supported
> by other governments and the Parliament on 22 January.  At FEMA we
> should be able to get Parliament behind the idea. So we are asking
> rider organisations, clubs and individuals to get as many letters
> into their governments as possible - bury them with letters before
> 22 January."
> 
> Lobby targets follow with suggested letter.  Please note, it is
> important to address the fax letter to the Minister responsible
> (or other listing - the second entry) in your country, and fax a
> copy to the 'Permanent Representative' in Brussels.
> TWO LETTERS MUST BE SENT BY FAX IF POSSIBLE.
> 
> PLEASE ASK AS MANY MOTORCYCLISTS AS POSSIBLE TO SEND LETTERS.
> THIS BATTLE WILL BE WON OR LOST IN THESE FEW WEEKS.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Simon Milward
> FEMA General Secretary
> 
> LOBBY TARGETS
> -------------
> 
> Directive on Legal Protection of Designs - GOVERNMENT LOBBY
> List of contact persons in Permanent Representation and
> National Ministries
> January 1998
> Listed as following:  COUNTRY
> Permanent Representation's contact - Name, Address, Tel. nr, Fax nr
> Ministry in charge - Name, address, Tel nr, fax nr.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> AUSTRIA
> Mr Uresberger, Ave de Cortenbergh 118, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 282 1111, Fax: 230 79300
> Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr Johan Farnleitner,
> Stubenring 1, 1010 Wien, Tel: +43 1 71100, Fax: 1 713 8014
> 
> BELGIUM
> Mr Geert Criel, Rue Belliard 62, 1040 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 233 2191 (direct line), Fax: +32 2 231 1075
> Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr Laurent & Mrs Petit,
> Tel: 02 206 4824.  Fax: 02 206 5750.
> 
> DENMARK
> Mr Jacob Scharf, Rue d'Arlon 73, 1040 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 233 0811, Fax: +32 2 230 9384
> Ministry of Justice, Frank Jensen, Slotsholmsgade 10,
> 1216 Copen. Tel: +45 3392 3340, Fax: +45 3393 3510
> 
> FINLAND
> Mr Mandere, Rue de Treves 100, 1040 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 287 8411, Fax: +32 2 287 8400/05
> Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Ropinoja,
> Fax: +358 9160 2635
> 
> FRANCE
> Mr Philippe Pouzoulet, Place de Louvain 14, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 229 8211, Fax: +32 2 229 8282
> Ministry of Industry, M Strauss-Tahn,
> Tel: +33 1 40 040404, Fax: +33 1 53 18 97 00
> 
> GERMANY
> Mr Kraemer, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 19-21, 1040 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 238 1842 (direct line), Fax: +32 2 238 1946
> Ministry of Justice, Mr Peter Muehlens, Bonn,
> Tel: + 49 228 584324, Fax: + 49 228 584328
> 
> GREECE
> Mrs Micheloyanakis, Rue Montoyer 25, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 551 5689 (direct line)
> Organisation of Industrial Property, Mr Kyriakidis (Director),
> Pantanassis 5, 15125 Amaroussion, Fax: 00 30 1 6819231
> 
> IRELAND
> Mr Liam MacGabhann, Rue Froissart 89-93, 1040 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 230 8580, Fax: 230 6384
> Ministry for Entreprise, Trade & Employment, Industrial Section.
> Tel: + 353 1 661 4444, Fax: +353 1 676 9047
> 
> ITALY
> Mr Preseni, Rue du Marteau 9, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 220 0432, Fax: +32 2 219 3449
> Ministry of Industry, M. Bersani, Rome (check directory)
> 
> LUXEMBOURG
> Mrs Maisch, Rue du Noyer 211, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 735 2060, Fax: +32 2 736 1429
> Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr Claude Goebbels,
> Tel: +352 478 4106, Fax: +352 460448
> 
> NETHERLANDS
> Miss Bleeker, Avenue Herrmann-Debroux 48, 1160 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 679 1757 (direct line), Fax: +32 2 679 1795
> Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr Spayart,
> Tel: +31 70 379 6514, Fax: +31 70 379 6815
> 
> PORTUGAL
> Mr Louis Varandas, Rue Marie-Therese 11-13, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 227 4232 (direct line), Fax: +32 2 218 1542/5914
> National Institute of Industrial Property,
> Mr Mota Maia (President), Lisbon,
> Tel: +351 1 887 5765/888 1101  (Check directory for fax no.)
> 
> SPAIN
> Mr Rouis-Garapo, Boulevard du Regent 52, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 509 8710 (direct line), Fax: +32 2 511 4886
> Ministry of Industry, General Secretariat "Technica"
> (check directory)
> 
> SWEDEN
> Mrs Morner, Square de Meeus 30, 1000 Bruxelles,
> Tel: +32 2 289 5611, Fax: +32 2 289 5600
> Ministry of Justice, Mrs Hansson, 1003 33 Stockholm.
> Tel: +46 8 405 1000   Fax: +46 8 202 734
> 
> UK (Minister only)
> Ian McCartney, Dept. Trade & Industry,
> Tel: 0171 215 6196, Fax: 0171 215 6908
> 
> EXAMPLE LETTER TO BE SENT TO YOUR GOVERNMENT
> --------------------------------------------
> 
> Dear
> 
> EC Directive on the Legal Protection of Designs
> 
> As a motorcyclist I am extremely concerned that consumer
> benefits likely to be included in the above directive
> ("the repairs clause") will apply to car drivers but not
> motorcyclists.
> 
> The way in which the repairs clause is worded effectively
> means that many motorcycle repair parts will be subject to
> 25 years protection.  For cars no protection will apply,
> just a requirement that a fair payment is made to the orginal
> producer by an independent aftermarket pattern part producer.
> 
> The wording is insufficient because many more functional parts
> on motorcycles are also externally visible.  Discussions about
> which parts are subject to protection will take place in court
> where producers of good quality cheaper parts will be at an
> obvious disadvantage.  It hardly seems fair that one set of
> consumers will be entitled to cheaper repair parts whilst
> another set (motorcyclists) will be subject to monopoly pricing
> resulting in higher prices of spares and insurance, and
> increased motorcycle theft.
> 
> I am sure that it is not the intention of the European Union
> to discriminate in this way, and sincerely hope that I can
> depend on you to support any proposal on the table which will
> help guarantee equality of treatment for motorcyclists and
> car drivers.
> 
> I understand that there are only a few weeks left before
> this directive will finalised.  Therefore I would be very
> grateful for your urgent attention and soonest response.
> 
> Thank you for your time.
> 
> Yours sincerely
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dipper@normans.isd.uni-stuttgart.de