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The policy was approved by the ATA Board of Directors at its July meeting. The Board acted to minimize damage done by counterfeit products, including lost income for manufacturers and decreased funding for conservation efforts from reduced federal excise taxes paid on legitimate archery equipment. Counterfeit products also jeopardize the safety of anyone using them.
ATA members expressed support for the ATA’s counterfeiting policy as they became familiar with it in recent weeks. They’ve sent the ATA thankful emails, supportive posts on social media, and creative videos like the one mentioned earlier and described below.
T.R.U. Ball Archery’s 1-minute, 34-second video showcases popular archers expressing their devotion to genuine products, and endorsing the video’s theme: “Protect the sport you love. Shoot only originals.”
The video’s powerful message urges the archery community to be aware of counterfeit products and not trust them. If you love archery and want to support the sport and stay safe, use only original name-brand products.
Manufacturers’ concerns and support for the new ATA policy are just the beginning of the industry’s war on counterfeiters. As ATA president/CEO Jay McAninch said in a previous article, “We’ll never eliminate counterfeiting, but we can reduce blatant acts of counterfeiting and drive it far underground.”
ATA members must be vigilant and provide evidence of counterfeiting to ATA staff. If you find evidence of counterfeiting — whether physical products or online advertising that makes unauthorized use of industry photos or descriptions —contact Wendy Lang, ATA membership manager, at wendylang@archerytrade.org. Lang can also be reached at (507) 233-8134, or toll-free at (866) 266-2776, ext. 103.