LASERPERFORMANCE REBUTS ILCA LICENCE CLAIMS
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04 Apr 2019
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LaserPerformance has responded to ILCA’s claims that it refused to allow its manufacturing facilities to be inspected Photo: pixabay
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LASER PERFORMANCE
Dinghy manufacturer, LaserPerformance, has hit back at the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) following its decision to revoke the manufacturer’s licence, calling its claims ‘falsehoods’ and ‘misleading’.
The ILCA has revoked LaserPerformance’s right to supply the dinghies amid concerns that the manufacturer has refused access to allow the boats to be inspected.
The contract between the two is subject to an agreement first put in place in 1998 allowing ILCA to use the Laser trademark. This agreement is due to be renewed on 31 August 2019.
Refused to renew contract
In a statement issued on Facebook, LaserPerformance asserts that ILCA has ‘steadfastly’ refused to renew the agreement meaning that the manufacturer is reluctant to allow inspection by the ILCA with only five months before the licence expires. LaserPerformance also states that it allows inspection by other regulatory bodies.
LaserPerformance also points out that seeking new manufacturers for Laser products is only possible outwith LaserPerformance’s territory and that it has successfully defended encroachment on to its territories in the past. LaserPerformance territory covers all regions except Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.
Olympics concerns
As a result of this, LaserPerformance raises concerns that the 2024 Olympics will be affected, pointing out that France is in a LaserPerformance region and therefore only LaserPerformance boats would be authorised.
To ‘prevent the implosion of the Laser class organisation’ LaserPerformance urges ILCA to sign the renewal agreement and also recommends that the organisation returns to Europe where three quarters of Laser sailors live and sail.
via Boating Business | LaserPerformance rebuts ILCA licence claims.