Quarterly Newsletter
Congress was in full mid-term election mode in 2022 with significant policy initiatives passed via the Inflation Reduction Act that was moved through Congress without a single Republican vote. Similarly, long overdue investment in U.S. infrastructure passed with support from only 21 of 262 Republicans in Congress. The year ended with a post-election budget bill to fund the government that passed Congress with support from only 28 Republicans.
With party differences on full display, the midterm elections provided an unexpected result. The President’s party traditionally suffers significant losses in midterm elections, especially in a sluggish economy with high inflation. The 2022 elections did not follow the usual script, as Republicans picked up just seven House seats for a 222-213 advantage, while Democrats added a seat in the Senate for a 51-49 advantage. With control split between the parties, partisan legislation is not an option, and compromise will be required to get bills through Congress in 2023. SFIA’s policy agenda focuses on bills to advance sports and fitness in America: improve health, supply chains, promote trade, reduce tariffs, and reasonable regulation and enforcement of existing laws. Click here to see the agenda.
Trade-Tariffs, Forced Labor & Supply Chains
Shipping has improved, but popular tariff relief remains lapsed as China tariffs remain in place. Congress enacted legislation to address excessive detention and demurrage charges and facilitate the flow of commerce through U.S. Ports to address the challenges importers faced during the pandemic. Popular tariff relief programs lapsed at the end of 2020. Both the MTB and the GSP enjoy bipartisan support but remain stalled over ideological differences as pressure builds for action. As tensions with China rise due to geo-political issues, the USTR has indicated tariffs will remain in place, and a recent court ruling on tariffs sides with the government.
Long-Standing Tariff Relief Programs Await Congressional Action
The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) provides tariff relief on products no longer made in the U.S. The International Trade Administration (ITA) recommended 80 SFIA petitions for inclusion in the MTB, providing up to $40 million in tariff relief on industry products. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) offers duty-free entry into the U.S. for products made in eligible countries with developing economies.
Both tariff relief programs expired at end of 2020 and Congress failed to move these traditionally non-controversial bills over the past two years. A Republican House is likely to pass MTB and GSP and send the bill to the Democratic Senate for consideration. Republicans will point to Democrats if the tariff relief bill is not passed to lower prices in an inflationary economy. Click here for more on SFIA’s work on MTB and GSP.
No End in Sight for China Tariffs
Section 301 Tariffs on Chinese-made products and inputs have cost U.S. consumers and companies more than $160 billion since they were initiated. Originally put in place by President Trump, the tariffs remain in place under President Biden, who has given no indication he will rescind them.
With tensions building over China’s Taiwan policy, support for Russia’s war, the intelligence balloon over the U.S., the expansion of presence in the South China Sea, and the failure to meet all the terms of the Phase One trade agreement, the USTR has indicated the tariffs on Chinese imports will remain in place and potentially expand.
A General Accountability Office (GAO) review of the USTR Section 301 Exclusion process found it to be seriously flawed; failing to justify many exclusion denials and not maintaining documentation on their decisions. The GAO urged the USTR to re-open a more transparent Exclusion process, but to date, it has only collected comments on harm caused by (or benefits of) the tariffs. SFIA has joined the business community in pressing for a new exclusion process. SFIA will alert membership to any opportunity to get products off the Section 301 tariff list.
On March 17, the Court of International Trade ruled the Section 301 Tariffs on Chinese consumer goods can remain in place. This is a blow to the efforts to toss out the tariffs as illegal due to USTR failure to follow guidelines set by the U.S. and World Trade Organization. The plaintiffs have announced they plan to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C.
CBP Seizes $500 Million in Products Suspected of Forced Labor
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) went into effect on June 22, 2022, and Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) began detaining shipments of Chinese goods suspected of using forced labor in production. The CBP seized more than 1,500 shipments, valued at $500 million in the first three months of UFLPA. Importers must provide extensive documentation proving that no forced labor was used in the production of goods, including inputs and raw materials.
Cotton harvested in the Xinjiang region was a major target. Small shipments of cotton products avoided the new law using the ‘de minimus’ shipment exemption. Online orders valued under $800 qualify as ‘de minimus’ shipments and do not require reporting on forced labor. At the end of 2022, this fueled an effort to lower the ‘de minimus’ dollar threshold for international shipments.
Supply Chains Improve but Remain Fragile
Shipping has improved over the past year with fewer back-ups at ports and fewer COVID disruptions in Asia. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) has helped reign in excessive detention and demurrage charges and lowered the number of empty or partial containers leaving U.S. ports to facilitate U.S. exports.
President Biden urged Congress to pass the Railway Labor Act (RLA) to avoid a nationwide rail strike late last year. Congress passed the RLA to force the four holdout unions to accept the terms of the deal, negotiated with the help of Labor Secretary Walsh, to avert a nationwide rail strike that would have crippled U.S. supply chains.
West Coast Port Labor Unions have been working without a new contract since last July as labor talks drag on. The International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) recently issued a joint press release that they have a tentative agreement on health benefits and other elements of an agreement, but issues remain to be resolved. The ILWU has kept port workers on the job during the talks, but recent “meal breaks” have led to slowdowns at the Port Of Los Angeles. SFIA has asked President Biden to ensure west coast ports remain open in a March 24 letter signed by more than 200 business interests.
Activity Matters – Lowering Cost Barriers, Improving Access & Active Lifestyle Economy
Alcohol and substance abuse spiked during the pandemic as lives were disrupted, highlighting the mental health benefits of active lifestyles. The new appreciation for activity has led to increased attention on policies to address the cost and access barriers to active lifestyles.
Activity Cost Barrier Grows Post-Pandemic
The Aspen Institute reports it costs $883/year for a child to participate in a youth sport. Schools have adopted pay-to-play policies and out-of-school sports programs come with costs. Sports programs suffered during the national shutdown and the industry contracted. Likewise, gyms closed due to legislative & regulatory actions during the pandemic and did not re-open. Simply put – supply does not meet demand post-pandemic and activity prices have increased.
The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, would lower consumer costs by allowing the use of pre-tax dollars to pay for activity expenses. PHIT was under consideration for the year-end Omnibus bill, but unfortunately was cut at the 11th hour. PHIT enjoyed broad bi-partisan support from more than 90 members of Congress in 2022 and was re-introduced in the House and Senate in March 2023. With a new appreciation for activities’ role in mental health, PHIT was re-introduced in the House and Senate on March 14 with bipartisan support. SFIA continues to lead the effort to pass PHIT to lower the cost barrier to active, healthy lifestyles. Click here to learn more about PHIT.
Youth Sports Grants
The American Rescue Plan included youth sports grants for local communities and organizations. Grants can be used for equipment and staffing but targeted to fund free and/or affordable youth sports opportunities. St. Paul, MN used ARP grants to remove all sports fees for kids 10 and under for three years and youth sports registrations jumped 40 percent. For-profit organizations or leagues are not eligible for ARP grants.
Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX) introduced the PLAYS in Youth Sports Act to create a $75 million grant program for community youth sports programs. CDC grants would focus on national organizations offering sports in underserved communities. The Department of Health & Human Services may establish a companion grant program for municipalities, counties, and states to increase youth sports participation.
PLAYS Grants would be used for coaching certification, training in youth development, retaining coaches and volunteers, emphasizing participation over outcome, and including background checks for coaches. The bill also authorizes the CDC and National Institutes of Health to conduct research to prevent sports injuries and advance youth sports safety. The PLAYS Act had five Democratic co-sponsors in the House last Congress and will be re-introduced.
Gaming Revenue Funding Youth Sports
New York became the first state to tap into gaming revenue to help support youth sports programs. The New York mobile sports betting law dedicates a portion of the gaming tax revenue to youth sports programming. Grants were distributed to every county using a population formula, with New York City receiving $299,000. Grant preference is given to programs in underserved communities. Ohio, Massachusetts, and Minnesota have passed similar measures and other states are expected to follow suit.
The federal government collects a .25 percent excise tax on gaming revenues, generating $25 million from sports betting and $100 million overall. As more states turn to sports betting revenue for youth sports, there will be increased interest in tapping federal gaming revenue to support youth programs.
Invest in “Activity Deserts”
America reduced ‘Food Deserts’ during the “Let’s Move” campaign, but learned during COVID the dangers of inactivity to mental health and the shortage of places to play. With the new focus on mental health, investment in parks and recreation facilities is part of the solution. The government is making an investment and providing grants to local communities for infrastructure development and improvements.
Park & Recreation Grants
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) provides funding for park maintenance and guarantees funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to create and upgrade park space. GAOA includes the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) to provide almost $2 billion annually to help alleviate the backlog of maintenance and repair projects on public lands. LRF is funded through energy development revenues from oil, coal, gas, and renewable energy development on federal lands.
The LWCF received $900 million from offshore oil leases for competitive grants to fund park creation and upgrades. LWCF funds parks nationwide and includes the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership specifically for park and recreation development in underserved urban areas. Local communities and county governments are eligible for LWCF grants to improve existing and create new recreational spaces.
Increased Access to Parks & Recreation
The Bi-partisan Infrastructure bill passed in 2022 and includes $1.4 billion in funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for on and off-road pedestrian and bike facilities, bike lanes, recreational trails, and safe routes to school projects. TAP funds are limited to non-motorized transportation projects to increase access to recreational spaces; recreation and park facilities, playgrounds, and sports fields are not eligible to use of the funds.
The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) provides assistance for small and rural communities to grow their outdoor recreation economies. RERC projects build trail systems and bike lanes, repurpose abandoned structures, and create new park and recreation amenities with the goal of increasing access by connecting communities to recreational spaces. RERC is a competitive grant program for rural local governments.
Investment in Sports & Recreation Spaces
Senator John Ossoff (D-GA) drafted legislation to fund the development of youth sports infrastructure. The “Youth Sports Facilities Act” would provide Department of Education grants for the development and improvement of youth sports infrastructure in and outside of schools. The bill has not been introduced as the Senator searches for a Republican partner. SFIA has worked with the Senator to appeal more to Republicans in rural areas. A companion bill is expected in the House after its introduction in the Senate.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program” offers loans and grants for essential community facilities in rural areas. Funds may be used to purchase, construct, enlarge, or improve facilities. Grants and loans are limited to municipalities, counties, communities with populations under 20,000, and nonprofit organizations serving these areas. Lower-income areas are given priority. The program currently does not cover recreational facilities. SFIA supports the expansion of the program to cover recreation.
SFIA Supports Improved Protocols for Student-Athlete Head Injuries
There is growing concern with sports injuries, especially concussions and other head injuries. SFIA supports Senator Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) “Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act” to improve diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play/classroom protocols for improved student health after sustaining a head injury. Congress has not pursued sports concussion legislation in previous Congresses.
States Propose Bans on Youth Tackle Football
New York, Illinois, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland all have seen bills to ban youth tackle football introduced over the past five years. None of the bans on youth football bills have progressed far in state legislatures, but the head injury issue continues to fuel the debate.
In 2023, bills to ban tackle football for children under 12 have been reintroduced in California and New York. The threat to the game posed by these bills is real, but past efforts have failed due to opposition from coaches and families of youth football players
Congress United on Need for National NIL Standard
In response to concerns over the negative impact a patchwork of state Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) laws will have on college sports, Congress is ready to step in with a national standard to level the playing field and better serve student-athletes.
Economic Impact of Sports, Fitness & Recreation
The active lifestyle industry is present in every community across the country. Youth Sports, Adult Fitness and Outdoor Recreation make up this diverse industry and contribute to local economies. Understanding the size of the active lifestyle industry and its economic impact in states and on the national level will elevate the importance of the industry beyond health and wellness benefits.
Securing funding for a Bureau of Economic Analysis report on the economic impact of these industries is an SFIA priority in the upcoming Congress.
Congress Returns to Sports
After a year off due to COVID protocols, Congressional Sports returned strong in 2022. More than 120 members of Congress participated in at least one sport, with many playing on multiple teams. SFIA members support Congressional Sports with equipment donations to enhance the player experience in these charity games. The Congressional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, and golf matches raised more than $2 million for charity in 2022.
March 30: 10am EST / 3pm GMT / 4pm CET – hosted by Corsearch
With the explosion of platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, how can brands take advantage of the commercial opportunities while protecting themselves and their consumers? And what does this mean for other new social channels? This webinar from Corsearch will cover key insights into the rise and rise of Gen Z in the social media space, and what brands can to do to take advantage of the opportunities while protecting themselves and their consumers?
What you’ll learn:
- Why Gen Z are different – and important.
- How to connect with Gen Z online, and which channels to focus on.
- Gen Z and counterfeits – what do they know?
- What does the future look like?
Tune in to hear exclusive content from the INSYNC Summit followed by a live Q&A with industry luminaries, Max Klymenko (KLYM&CO), Alastair Gray (Tommy Hilfiger), and Piers Barclay (Corsearch).
Speakers:
Alastair Gray: Head of Digital IP Enforcement, Tommy Hilfiger
Max Klymenko: Social Media Consultant & Content Creator
Piers Barclay – Moderator: VP Strategy, Corsearch
Click here to register for the webinar.
Mizuno’s first collaboration with ROXY, a women’s brand that originated on the beach.
On March 1st, Mizuno will be releasing the “WAVE RIDER 26 ROXY”, the brand’s first collaborative running shoe with ROXY, a brand for women who love beach culture and active lifestyles. This shoe will be available on Mizuno’s online store and at sporting goods stores throughout the world.
The collaboration between ROXY, a brand that celebrates women with positive energy and supports female athletes such as world-class surfers, and Mizuno, which encourages top athletes and sports enthusiasts to always go further under the brand slogan “REACH BEYOND,” was realized as a result of their common aspirations. The collaboration was further strengthened by the two brands’ shared commitment to global environmental preservation.
The collaborative model is based on the WAVE RIDER 26, a running shoe for beginner and intermediate runners. The shoe offers excellent comfort that will keep you moving forward, and the sole is made with Mizuno’s proprietary “MIZUNO ENERZY,” a highly resilient sole material. In addition, Mizuno’s core function, “MIZUNO WAVE,” provides both cushioning and stability. They are available in two colorways, a warm pink combined with coral and turquoise, and the design incorporates a stylish surf spirit that will make you want to run from the beach to your favorite park.
The shoes are made with recycled polyester and plant-derived materials, and consideration is also given to reducing the environmental impact in the manufacturing process. Both brands have held the utmost respect for nature for almost 30 years, and their commitment and passion for protecting the global environment, which is our playground, have come together to create this product.
Features of the “WAVE RIDER 26 ROXY”
The WAVE RIDER series is Mizuno’s most popular running shoe series, with over 10 million pairs sold globally since its debut in 1997, and is characterized by its smooth running comfort. The “WAVE RIDER 26,” on which the “WAVE RIDER 26 ROXY” is based, is the 26th generation model in the series.
MIZUNO ENERZY
“MIZUNO ENERZY,” which is used in the “WAVE RIDER 26 ROXY”, is Mizuno’s proprietary material that provides soft cushioning and high energy return and was developed by utilizing the brand’s extensive knowledge on resilience accumulated through the development of equipment outside the category of shoes as a general sporting goods manufacturer.
Made with environmentally friendly materials
The “WAVE RIDER 26 ROXY” is made of eco-friendly materials. Recycled polyester is used for the mesh upper and mesh lining material, and the “MIZUNO WAVE” plate is made with bio-based thermoplastic derived from castor beans.
Design
Based on the functionality, style, and femininity that the ROXY brand values, the shoe has adopted a design that is inspired by mountains and oceans. They are available in two colors, pink and coral, and turquoise, and can be matched with apparel products, including tops and bottoms from ROXY.
Sales channels
Approximately 20,000 pairs will be sold on Mizuno’s online store and at sporting goods stores throughout the world. In addition, they will be available on roxy.com and at select shops around the world.
About ROXY
ROXY, a brand of Boardriders, Inc., has been celebrating the power of women to make waves and move mountains since 1990. The first and only exclusively-female global action sports brand, ROXY specializes in the development and design of trend-leading, technically innovative lifestyle and performance wear inspired by the Mountain & the Wave. By creating first-of-its-kind products designed for surfing, winter sports, fitness, and yoga & cultivating a breed of female pioneers who changed the course of sports, ROXY has empowered all women to challenge the status quo in every arena of their lives.
Shop the Wave Rider 26 ROXY here.
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news on the brand’s website at www.MizunoUSA.com or on social @MizunoRunningUSA.
ABOUT MIZUNO USA: Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the world’s largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, volleyball, swimming, and tennis equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Peachtree Corners, GA
Media Contact:
Brand Support
[email protected]
Case Study by Corsearch
17,800+ marketplace listings enforced across 22 platforms and 8,400 sellers
$52m+ value of stock removed
96% compliance on marketplaces
Millie Allen, Senior International Marketing Manager at Brompton, shares how the folding bicycle brand has evolved its approach to brand protection and collaborates with the wider business to support its e-commerce strategy.
The evolution of online threats
“I’ve been with Brompton for almost three years – in my time, the online environment has rapidly evolved. As a business, we’re looking more to direct-to-consumer channels, primarily through e-commerce and also through our physical store network” Millie says.
“Our channel strategy now reflects the importance of our partners’ e-commerce stores. Over the last five years our brand has rapidly expanded, and awareness has increased – which is fantastic. But with that awareness and demand, came counterfeiters and copycats jumping on that trend.”
“When I joined Brompton in 2019, I quickly witnessed huge demand coming out of the Asia-Pacific region. I very quickly flagged the problematic marketplaces and the infringements starting to crop up. And that was before I’d even really looked deeper, because at the time we didn’t have a brand protection program, nor a technology platform where we could understand the scope and scale of infringements.”
The threat to consumer safety and Brompton’s brand reputation
“The Brompton community is incredibly engaged and they’re incredibly loyal. Our number one priority is to protect them” Millie explains.
Millie notes that the evolution of the online environment has led to threats to consumer safety and trust in the Brompton brand.
“Some of the key trends that we’ve identified with the help of Corsearch and its brand protection technology include complete copycat bikes, bike parts that claim to be official Brompton products, and bike stickers.”
“Both our quality control and manufacturing are still done today in London, UK. We pride ourselves on the handmade quality craftsmanship in our bikes. Counterfeiters and copycats on the other hand use lower quality brazing or welds within the frame, poor quality materials, uncertified components, and lower quality manufacturing techniques – all putting consumers at risk. The safety aspect is quite scary. You could be riding down a hill on a copycat Brompton and suddenly the parts could fail – that could result in serious injury.”
Brompton’s approach to online brand protection
Prior to working with Corsearch
“Prior to working with Corsearch, we were very reactive and did not have a structured approach to online brand protection. We would respond with individual takedowns when a customer came into contact with either a marketplace listing or a social media profile” Millie explains.
“When I joined the business there was recognition that I had some background in brand protection. I quickly found out that the business was aware of infringements but had no effective way to deal with them at scale. I would personally enforce where I could, but that was not efficient or an effective use of my time. And it was not even scratching the surface of the problem.”
“We had underestimated the scale of the challenge. We didn’t have the technology to match keywords or images. Instead, a member of our team would search manually for infringements. I knew we needed to get a platform and a team like Corsearch to set up image matching and keywords to identify infringements. The first step in the program for us was to audit and understand the scale of the issue.”
Working in partnership with Corsearch
“There was a piece of education to our senior management around the value of brand protection platforms, the options available and the pricing models as well. There were several vendors considered. However, based on our prior experience of the platform itself and the capabilities that we could access with Corsearch’s brand protection technology, it was far superior. So ultimately we chose Corsearch” Millie says.
“By working with Corsearch, we can identify risks and opportunities before we expand our e-commerce offering. In a particular market, we can audit threats or key platforms that may pose a risk, and we can proactively focus efforts in that region. This will allow us to reduce the volume of copycats or fraudulent sellers in that market before we officially enter.”
Corsearch analysts acting as an extension of the Brompton team
“I knew that I wasn’t going to have capacity internally, so I needed an external team that could partner with us. Corsearch’s analyst team acts as an extension of the Brompton team” Millie explains.
“We’ve got an inbox that our customer facing team can use to report infringements directly to Corsearch. That allows our global staff members to report directly when they are alerted of new threats in the market. We also use the team to we work with them proactively to ensure that we’re focusing on high-risk products or high-risk territories. The team then assign risk rules in the system to identify infringing products within the territories that are of particular attention for us.”
Millie highlights that the analyst team’s expertise allows Brompton to be more effective in its brand protection activity.
“We tap into the knowledge, the relationships, and the insights that Corsearch has developed from representing so many brands globally in the brand protection space. They are able to advise us on our program and strategic efforts. The impact has been impressive.”
“Our quarterly success reviews allow us to tweak our direction. I bring in senior stakeholders across the Brompton business so we can align on the direction for the next quarter. The Corsearch team also provides reports, which are fantastic for circulating internally – especially to the C-suite. So I really value this as it reduces the strain internally and ensures that we get consistent visibility for the brand protection program.”
Aligning brand protection across marketing, sales, e-commerce & legal
Being in the marketing space, Millie explains that brand protection delivers value to the wider business. Millie is able to share insights on issues such as digital hygiene and compliance with brand guidelines.
“We can detect activity across our global retail network and whitelist these results. This enables the analysts to focus their efforts on high-risk infringements. However, we can then use this whitelist data internally to identify non-compliance of our brand guidelines by our partners, such as outdated brand assets or logos. We can then moderate these assets to ensure the customer experience remains consistent.”
“Corsearch enables us to build broader intelligence for other teams in the business to harness. This intelligence includes parallel imports and gray market goods, product availability in different territories, as well as general online brand activity. Our sales team can then investigate further and use these insights.”
“We’ve also been able to protect and prepare expansions for the brand. For example: if we were to expand into new markets where we do not already have a direct-to-consumer e-commerce offering, we can have the Corsearch team perform an audit to assess key threats and opportunities. This helps us collaborate internally across sales, marketing, e-commerce.”
“Another key area where we use insights from the Corsearch team is identifying risks to our IP portfolio. This enables our legal team to address gaps in our portfolio in key markets, allowing Brompton to stay ahead of copycats and increase enforcement compliance.”
Looking to the future of Brompton’s brand protection program
Millie explains that the business is looking to expand its brand protection strategy to social media, with the goals of both safeguarding its dedicated customer community and to streamline its authorized assets.
“We love our official community. They’re incredibly engaged, but we don’t want to risk unofficial pages or sites being created that might pose a threat to that community.”
“In the future, we want to look further than marketplace infringements and to audit both authorized and unauthorized Brompton social media accounts. This will help us ensure that our on-the-ground efforts aren’t diluted on social media, so our customers can find our official page when they search for it.”
“Social media auditing also has another key use case. We’ve recently undergone a complete overhaul of product hierarchy and have rebranded. That’s involved new product naming and innovation to our customer journey, which is a big step forward for Brompton. But that means we have a big task ahead of us to identify all uses of outdated assets that we’ve phased out. Corsearch will be critical for that project because Talisman will be able to identify both outdated logos and product names, meaning we will be able to align our digital presence quickly.”
“The value that we’ve got out of working with Corsearch is phenomenal. I highly recommend working with both Corsearch’s brand protection technology and team. They have deep knowledge and far-reaching relationships with key platforms and intermediaries.”
Millie Allen, Senior International Marketing Manager, Brompton
Remove infringements from key marketplaces to support your e-commerce strategy
Corsearch’s brand protection technology systematically scrapes the internet using machine learning technology, enabling businesses to discover infringements on websites, marketplaces, social media, paid search, and more.
For Brompton, the capability to swiftly identify copycat products on key marketplaces has been critical to safeguard consumers from potential injury. It also allows the company to continue to expand its direct-to-consumer distribution strategy.
Whether you’re a midsize organization or a Fortune 500 enterprise, Corsearch brand protection solutions give you the confidence that your business and consumers are fully protected online. Request a demo from one of our experts to find out why Corsearch is the right choice for you.
Request a demo
This case study was originally published on the Incopro website. Incopro was acquired by Corsearch in 2021, with the two organizations combining their IP and expertise to better serve the market.
Commitment to perfection is materialized in the new Wave Rebellion Pro.
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA, February 20, 2023 – Mizuno, a global leader in sports apparel and equipment, has launched the Wave Rebellion Pro. Commitment to perfection inspired Mizuno to engineer this ideal shoe for distance racers. Whether you’re racing a marathon, half marathon, 10k, or just looking to feel fast that day, take aim at your personal best with Mizuno’s first-ever carbon-reinforced wave plate, and Smooth Speed Assist design that supports and strikes at all the right angles.
The Wave Rebellion Pro has an inventive design shape that is one of the first to be on the market. This shoe is ideal for marathon distance runners and features MIZUNO ENERZY LITE+, MIZUNO WAVE®, Mizuno’s first-ever carbon-reinforced wave plate, and exceptional grip due to the G3 outsole. The unique shape of the Wave Rebellion Pro comes from Mizuno’s track and field DNA. Taking key learnings from Mizuno’s sprint spikes combined with the latest and greatest midsole foams, such as MIZUNO ENERZY LITE, allows for an extended duration of time for the athlete to sustain their maximum speed over longer distances.
The concept of this shoe was created to reduce the workload on the calf and achilles, so the runner has more energy for the finishing sprint at the end of the race. Mizuno’s Smooth Speed Assist technology can be seen in the midsole geometry of the Wave Rebellion Pro; it’s designed to keep the runner running fast and efficiently in the midfoot area of their gait. This shoe also prioritizes sustainability and Mizuno’s Crew 21 mission by including a plant-based wave plate, more than 90% recycled content on the upper body lining textile, and more than 90% Recycled content on the sock liner lining. This shoe also features a 35mm forefoot stack, a 39mm heel stack, and a 4mm heel-toe drop. This innovative Wave Rebellion Pro is just the thing to take your speed to the next level.
Shop the Wave Rebellion Pro here.
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news on the brand’s website at www.MizunoUSA.com or on social @MizunoRunningUSA.
ABOUT MIZUNO USA: Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the world’s largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, volleyball, swimming, and tennis equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Peachtree Corners, GA
Media Contact:
Brand Support
[email protected]
Mizuno enters into an agreement with Midnight Runners, a running community with a global reach.
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA, February 20, 2023 – Mizuno, a global leader in sports apparel and equipment, and Midnight Runners announce a joint agreement, paving the way for Mizuno to become the official sponsor from February 2023 through January 2026.
Commenting on the upcoming partnership with Mizuno, Julie Hambleton, Crew Support, Social Media Manager, and Community Builder from Midnight Runners, states, “Our goal at Midnight Runners has and always will be to bring accessible, fun fitness to as many people around the world as we can in a way that connects those people to each other and to their city. We’re very excited to be working with Mizuno to continue to spread the joy and magic of running.”
By supporting the Midnight Runners’ activities, Mizuno aims to spread the joy of running and connect people around the world while putting into practice its corporate philosophy of “contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports” and spreading the Mizuno Running slogan; “All runners. All runs.” Mizuno Corporation’s Global Corporate & Marketing Office Senior Manager, Kojiro Sampei, is thrilled to announce the partnership with Midnight Runners, “Running is one of the most important categories for Mizuno’s global business strategy. We are very pleased to announce this agreement with Midnight Runners, as it will not only increase Mizuno’s brand presence in major cities around the world but will highlight Mizuno’s commitment to celebrating diversity by bringing people together through the power of sport.”
About Midnight Runners
Midnight Runners is a social network founded in London in 2015 and has evolved into a global social network of runners that meet weekly after-hours for a “boot camp” group run (5-10 km), regardless of the background or athletic ability of participants. Currently, the club’s activities have expanded to 15 major cities*1 around the world. Volunteer “crew captains” are assigned at each location and are responsible for planning and executing each event. There are approximately 80,000 annual participants. The club’s brand value is “We exist to connect people from diverse backgrounds and enrich lives through the shared joy of running together.”
*1: New York (USA), Boston (USA), Los Angeles (USA), San Francisco (USA), Toronto (Canada), London (UK), Paris (France), Berlin (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Sydney (Australia), Hong Kong (China), Mexico City (Mexico), Bogota (Colombia), Santiago (Chile), Buenos Aires (Argentina).
For further information on Midnight Runners, visit, www.midnightrunners.com.
The shoe is loaded with Mizuno’s signature features to keep you comfortable on even the harshest terrain.
The Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 targets a neutral pronator and experienced runner who usually runs long distances with a competitive spirit and wants the utmost quality in their running footwear. It ensures a maximum cushioned trail shoe with a fixation on weight minimization, deliberately designed to be the lightest Mujin model in the last five years. The Wave Mujin 9 offers the optimal balance between protection and lightweight, both of which are critical components for the exotic conditions of trail running. Mizuno aimed at answering the following question; “How can we remove the weight of excess materials while simultaneously enhancing the protection levels of a trail shoe?” While retaining its critical protective parts across the upper mesh and PU sock liner, the Wave Mujin 9 decreased its weight from 12.5 ounces to 12 ounces compared to its predecessor.
The Michelin rubber on the outsole provides grip, lightness, and technology through the use of a DC rubber compound, lighter all-around rubber compounds, and a new LUG design technology. More specifically, the LUG technology provides traction and adaptability to the outsole, including arc sculptures for stability and traction when powering over obstacles and a robust heel for durability. The wider gauge of 12mm with Michelin rubber and traction Lugs adds to the already improved traction and stability characteristics of its outsole. TPU support panels were additionally supplemented across the heel and ankle area, ensuring a comfortable, stable, and secure fit.
The Mujin 9’s midsole includes a full-length foam-based Mizuno Wave construction, bounded by the U4icX upper midsole and Mizuno Enerzy bottom midsole from toe to heel, providing unmatched cushioning, energy return, and stability. The Wave construction, created with EVA at two levels of hardness, enhances stability without sacrificing cushioning, enabling smoother runs in tough terrains.
Its revolutionized upper design now comprises a breathable mesh for comfort while running long distances in trail environments. Its half-gusset tongue also provides a secure fit, eliminating the necessity of any tongue readjustment while running continuously. The side panels included on the sides of the upper design securely holds the runner’s foot in place, preventing any unneeded lateral movement that may cause instability while running. In terms of sustainability, more than 90% of recycled materials were used in the upper lining textile, sock liner, and shoelace.
Shop the Wave Mujin 9 here.
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news on the brand’s website at www.MizunoUSA.com or on social @MizunoRunningUSA.
ABOUT MIZUNO USA: Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the world’s largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, volleyball, swimming, and tennis equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Peachtree Corners, GA
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Brand Support
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PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA, January 20, 2023 – Mizuno, a global leader in sports apparel and equipment, has launched the Wave Rebellion Flash. With the Wave Rebellion Flash, it’s always go time; this shoe is catered toward distance runners and anyone looking to feel fast.
Runners can feel the cushion of the MIZUNO ENERZY LITE, combined with MIZUNO ENERZY FOAM and a glass fiber-reinforced wave plate. The main advantage of a glass fiber-reinforced wave plate is that it is 1141% more responsive than Mizuno’s standard Pebax® wave plate. Priced at $160, the Wave Rebellion Flash offers all the perks of a distance shoe without the hefty price tag. The Wave Rebellion Flash also hones in on sustainability by including a plant-based wave plate, more than 90% recycled content on the upper body lining textile, and more than 90% Recycled content on the sock liner lining. Additionally, the G3 outsole creates traction that keeps you ruling the road and turning every day runs into anything but ordinary.
Shop the Wave Rebbelion Flash here.
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news on the brand’s website at www.MizunoUSA.com or on social @MizunoRunningUSA.
ABOUT MIZUNO USA: Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the world’s largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, volleyball, swimming, and tennis equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Peachtree Corners, GA
Media Contact:
Brand Support
[email protected]
January 17, 2023 – The latest research from Corsearch’s brand and content protection division shows that a disproportionate number of websites engaging in online piracy or counterfeiting use Cloudflare’s services.
According to Corsearch’s research, 71% of websites which Corsearch notified to Google for search engine demotion used Cloudflare’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) services(1).
In addition:
- Nearly half (49%) of all websites flagged for content piracy (e.g. film, TV, music, photography) used Cloudflare
- A quarter (23.5%) of all websites flagged for offering counterfeited goods used Cloudflare
Additional analysis of the ‘Infringing Websites List’, which was created by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) showed that 67% of the websites listed by PIPCU use Cloudflare’s services.
The proliferation of unlawful products, services and content online undermines consumer trust and can lead to substantial consumer harm. The unwitting online purchase of a counterfeit pharmaceutical, for example, can have lethal consequences. The download of a pirate film can infect consumer hardware with viruses and malware – and in either case, the people behind the sale and distribution of counterfeit or pirate goods and services may be involved in organised criminal activity.
Cloudflare, a US-listed business, does not verify identification and business or personal registration details for its CDN customers. This, combined with the fact that base elements of the CDN service are free, is an incentive for bad actors to use Cloudflare’s services. Though the sites analysed are not hosted by Cloudflare, the business is uniquely positioned to do more to protect rights holders and suppress the scourge of online piracy and counterfeiting. Many intermediaries are already taking steps to prevent harm to consumers where bad actors are using their services to infringe intellectual property, including requiring any infringing content to be removed by the host, or terminating their services.
Simon Baggs, President of Brand and Content Protection at Corsearch said: “Cloudflare is a key intermediary that can do a lot more. Its services are fundamental to the operation of many websites that infringe intellectual property. There is no doubt that if Cloudflare followed the example of others and did more to assist rights owners, the online environment for consumers would be substantially improved.”
Detective Constable Abdun Noor from the City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) said:
“PIPCU works with a number of internet-related service providers to make the internet a safe place for users to consume content, while protecting the rights of content creators.
“We ask the service providers we work with to support the removal of domains that are harmful to the creative industry and its consumers. There is still work to be done for all providers to have policies in place that ensure they aren’t benefiting harmful domains and preventing law enforcement from taking action against them.”
Corsearch’s findings are also backed up by several other papers and regulatory submissions. In 2022, the Motion Picture Association in the US filed a submission on behalf of studios (including Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment), which noted that “Cloudflare’s customers include some of the most notorious, longstanding pirate websites in the world”. The International Federation of the Photographic Industry has also made similar submissions to the European Commission’s Counterfeit and Piracy Watchlist.
Baggs added: “We have laid out eight key actions that Cloudflare can take to stop its services being used for infringement. We urge Cloudflare to review our report and to implement change.”
About Corsearch: Corsearch intelligent Trademark & Brand Protection solutions are revolutionizing how companies commercialize and protect their growth. Trusted by over 5,000 brands and law firms worldwide, Corsearch delivers data, analytics, and services that support brands to market their assets and reduce risks to revenue and consumers. Whether it’s online or offline, Corsearch IP research and protection solutions help customers to secure, monitor, and enforce their IP rights.
Media contact:
Sophie Mellish, Rostrum
[email protected]
+44 (0) 7854 272 007
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association has released the 2022 Year End Review. The letter includes a note from President & CEO, Tom Cove, and highlights the successes of SFIA in support of our members and partners from 2022.
Click here to read the letter.
For more information or for questions, please contact [email protected].