RE: [gnso-vi-feb10] Is this is similar issue

["Hammock, Statton" <shammock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jeff, 

 

I think it's helpful to see the issues in a different context. 

 

Thanks for sharing.  

 

Statton

 

 Statton Hammock 
 Sr. Director, Law, Policy & Business Affairs 

 

P 703-668-5515  M 703-624-5031 <http://www.networksolutions.com> 
www.networksolutions.com

 

 

________________________________

From: owner-gnso-vi-feb10@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-gnso-vi-feb10@xxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Jeff Eckhaus
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 5:37 PM
To: Gnso-vi-feb10@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [gnso-vi-feb10] Is this is similar issue

 

I just read this article about the legislation to stop wineries and breweries 
from shipping direct to consumers and it felt like déjà vu. 

http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show?id=42526

 

Some of the lines from this article may have been lifted from this mailing 
list.  Wholesalers state they are only working in the public interest and that 
they are only trying to protect consumers and that is why we must maintain the 
current three tier system.

 

The other side who want to deal directly with consumers are claiming that 
wholesalers are only using scare tactics to preserve their long standing 
monopolies. 

I think this quote from US Congressman Mike Thompson may have been lifted from 
one of our transcripts "For decades, wholesalers have expended great resources 
to protect their state-mandated distribution system in ways that have harmed 
wineries and breweries. These efforts have stunted competition and weakened 
producers, which ultimately leads to fewer choices for consumers," 

 

I know we need to keep this mailing list on topic but reading this discussion 
on shipping wine seemed identical to the issues this group is facing and 
thought it would be worth sharing

 

 

Jeff Eckhaus