Tire Industry Association

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	TIA Contact: Roy Littlefield
October 31, 2007	301-430-7280

TIA ANNOUNCES POLICY GUIDANCE ON LOOK-ALIKE TIRES

Las Vegas, NV – (October 31, 2007) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) today announced the passage of a policy resolution that acknowledges tire manufacturers growing concerns about tire intellectual property infringement, or look-alike tires. In addition, the Association has pledged to work with the manufacturers in the sharing and dissemination of information pertaining to the problem. Several manufacturers have displayed examples to TIA Board Members during TIA’s annual meetings with company CEOs.

“We are glad to work with manufacturers on this issue”, said Paul Hyatt, TIA’s outgoing President. “It only makes sense when you consider the insurance liability issues our members are faced with on a regular basis.” Roy Littlefield, TIA Executive Vice President, says “it is apparent that import tires have raised a whole host of issues in general, and look-alike tires specifically bring serious questions about quality and safety.”

TIA’s Executive Committee has had considerable discussion about the issue and incoming President Peggy Fisher feels strongly about the issue stating, “We want every dealer to know what they are involved with if they choose to carry look-alike tires and the consequences that could come their way.”

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TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.

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