# Intellectual Property and the Internet/Consumer Electronics Association

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is a standards organization|standards and trade organization for the consumer electronics industry in the United States. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $173 billion U.S. consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. The CEA also puts on the annual Consumer Electronics Show | International CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
CEA originally started as the Radio Manufacturers Association (RMA) in 1924. In 1950, it changed its name to Radio-Television Manufacturers Association (RTMA). In 1953, it changed its name to Radio-Electronics-Television Manufacturers Association (RETMA). It was then the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) from 1957 to 1998, when it became the Electronic Industries Alliance. In 1995, EIA's Consumer Electronics Group (CEG) became the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA). In 1999, President Gary Shapiro announced the trade group's name change from CEMA to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and became an independent sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA).

## Awards Program

CEA has several awards programs to honor industry leaders, inventors, and groundbreaking products and technologies.
* Academy of Digital Pioneers: given out at the DTV Summit to recognize DTV leaders and those accomplishments that further the transition from analog television to digital
* Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame: To recognize the contributions of the true pioneers of the consumer electronics industry, CEA announced the first 50 inductees into its Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame at the 2000 International CES. Each year another world-class group of inventors, engineers, business leaders, retailers and journalists are inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame.
* The Mark of Excellence Awards has distinguished leaders in custom home electronic products, services and installed technologies. For past winners and details of the categories and how to enter:(MoE).

## Market Research

For more than 75 years, CEA’s Market Activity Reports and Analysis (MARA) program has been providing consumer electronics industry statistics. For more information about the MARA program see CEA Market Research.
CEA consumer research reports contain a written analysis of the key points and essential take-aways, offering insightful analysis about what consumers want from consumer technologies. These reports can be purchased here.

## Membership

CEA represents more than 2,200 corporate members. Membership is available for companies involved in the CE industry, including manufacturers, distributors, technology developers, retailers, dealers, and integrators. Associate membership is offered to companies providing B2B solutions for the CE industry, such as marketing and advertising firms, financial/investment institutes, and builders
Membership in CEA supports the CE industry, CEA policies and initiatives, and provides exclusive benefits to grow your CE business. Visit CEA Membership.

## Leadership

Gary Shapiro is the President and CEO

## Notes

* ↑ "Digital America". Consumer Electronics Association. Archived from the original on 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2007-09-19.

## External links

* Antenna Web
* CEA Connections Guide
* CEA official website
* CE Hall of Fame
* CES official website
* CEknowhow
* Digital Freedom
* DTV Transition Coalition
* CEA Video Podcast
* www.eBrain.org
* Great Audio
* Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP)
* DigitalTips
* My Green Electronics
* SmartBrief
* TechHome
* Watch the Road
* Your Ride Your Way