U.S. Department of Justice Intellectual Property Task Force
Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement Program (IPEP): Program Performance Report, January-June 2013
View new IP Theft Campaign PSA and Online Video Below!
BJA manages the Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement Program (IPEP) in coordination with the Department of Justice's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Task Force on Intellectual Property. This program is designed to build the capacity of state and local criminal justice systems to address criminal IP enforcement through increased prosecution, prevention, training, and technical assistance availability. The IP Enforcement Program covers expenses related to performing criminal enforcement operations; educating the public and law enforcement professionals about IP crime to prevent, deter, and identify criminal violations of IP laws; establishing task forces to conduct investigations, forensic analyses, and prosecutions; and acquiring equipment to conduct investigations and forensic analysis of evidence.
The IP Theft Enforcement Grant Program has enhanced the capacity of jurisdictions across the United States to detect and respond to IP crimes in their communities, and has launched a national training and outreach initiative to increase knowledge and awareness of the importance and cost of IP theft. To date IP state/local task forces efforts have resulted in 3,552 arrests, 908 search warrants, disruption/dismantling of 1,882 organizations, and seizure of $266,164,989 dollars in counterfeit goods; which indicates the success of the state and local law enforcement agencies task forces and recognition of the importance of devoting resources to this issue.
OverviewIP crime refers to the violation of criminal laws that protect copyrights, patents, trademarks, other forms of intellectual property, and trade secrets, both in the United States and abroad. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has made the protection of intellectual property a major law enforcement priority. DOJ recognizes that innovation is a central pillar of our nation's economy and crucial to enabling American businesses to remain competitive in a global market. Our entrepreneurs require protection from criminals here and abroad who would copy their creations with less expensive or dangerous imitations. Improving our nation's capacity to respond to IP crime is also crucial to the protection of the American public from the exposure to dangerous and deadly goods, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals, substandard automobile parts, and lead-tainted jewelry.Research has shown that IP crimes are closely related to and support other crimes, including violent crime. A report by the Rand Corporation found that "Counterfeiting is widely used to generate cash for diverse criminal organizations. In the case of DVD film piracy, criminal groups are moving to control the entire supply chain, from manufacture to distribution to street sales, consolidating power over this lucrative black market and building substantial wealth and influence in virtually every region of the globe. Counterfeiting is a threat not only to the global information economy, but also to public safety and national security."1 The provision of increased resources to state and local law enforcement to address IP crime may exponentially affect the ability of organized criminal networks to engage in other types of crimes that affect the health and safety of all Americans.In addition, IP crimes pose a serious threat to the health and safety of every American. Counterfeit and pirated products can be harmful, and sometimes deadly, to consumers. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals, foods, technologies, and other goods are not inspected or approved by regulatory bodies, and therefore do not comply with established safety regulations. For instance, investigations have revealed that counterfeit toothpastes have been made with chemicals found in antifreeze; counterfeit brake pads have been manufactured using sawdust, kitty litter, and dried grass as their primary components. Public safety is assured not only by directly combating organized criminal networks, but by educating and enabling law enforcement officers to recognize the threats that every day products pose to the public when they are produced and sold outside of the bounds of legal commerce.Finally, IP is a central component of the U.S. economy, and the United States is an acknowledged global leader in its creation. According to the United States Trade Representative, "Americans are the world's leading innovators, and our ideas and intellectual property are key ingredients to our competitiveness and prosperity."2 Ensuring that existing IP laws are aggressively enforced is in the interests of American economic prosperity, job creation, and economic recovery.IP Theft Campaign Public Service Announcements (PSA) and Banner Ads
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Anticipated FY 2019 Solicitations that Support Law Enforcement
This resource highlights different law enforcement solicitations that are expected to be available from BJA in FY 2019, including opportunities that relate to body-worn cameras, human trafficking investigations, opioids, school safety, and more.
BJA Funding SupportBJA funds state and local projects that emphasize collaboration and coordination with all relevant enforcement organizations, including prosecutors, multijurisdictional task forces, and appropriate federal agencies (i.e., local Federal Bureau of Investigation departments and U.S. Attorneys' Offices) in the enforcement of IP laws.
Related InformationRead News Releases from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Intellectual Property Rights.
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), supported by BJA, developed a research-based public outreach campaign to educate the public on IP crimes in general, particularly about the health and safety risks that result from IP crime. To learn more about this pending campaign and NCPC, visit the NCPC website.
Eligible applicants are limited to state, local, tribal (federally-recognized Indian tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), and municipal law enforcement agencies, to include law enforcement agencies within institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education), and prosecutors.
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BJA offers training and technical assistance on the subject of IP crime through the National Association of Attorneys General and the National White Collar Crime Center. These two organizations have partnered to expand the delivery of joint law enforcement and prosecutor training on IP crime issues and responses. This training is free of charge to criminal justice professionals.
National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) is the training and technical assistance provider for the IPEP grant program. The training and technical assistance for state and local law enforcement focuses on supporting the training needs of the local IP sites and through continued education of the greater law enforcement community on promising IP investigative and prosecutorial practices.
IP Theft Training:
The training is a mix of lecture, discussion and interactive exercises that focus more on investigative skill building which includes:
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Intellectual Property Task Force https://www.justice.gov/iptf
Office of the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office/ipec
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips
National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Coordination Center http://www.iprcenter.gov/
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Intellectual Property Theft/Piracy https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/white-collar-crime/piracy-ip-theft
StopFakes.gov http://www.stopfakes.gov
Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO IP) Act http://www.justice.gov/dag/prioritizing-resources-and-organization-intellectual-property-act-2008
National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) https://www.nw3c.org/
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) https://www.ncpc.org/
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Announcement:
Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy
BJA has released the FY 2018 Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy solicitation. This program assists state, local and tribal jurisdictions in preventing and reducing intellectual property theft and related crime. Apply by: June 14, 2018.
Applications Being Accepted for the Intellectual Property Enforcement Program
BJA has released the FY 2017 Intellectual Property Enforcement Program competitive grant announcement. This program assists state and local jurisdictions in preventing and reducing intellectual property theft and related crime. Apply by: January 31, 2017.
BJA is currently seeking applications for the FY 2016 Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy. This program assists state and local jurisdictions in preventing and reducing intellectual property theft and related crime. Applications are due March 28, 2016.
Los Angeles City Attorney Cracks Down on Counterfeiters
City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office secured a permanent injunction banning two chronic counterfeit merchants from returning to the Fashion District in downtown Los Angeles. The defendants were also assessed a $26.2 million penalty, the largest counterfeiting judgment in the city’s history. The Deputy City Attorney who prosecuted the case is funded through a BJA grant that supports the Los Angeles Counterfeit Abatement Prosecution Program.
LA City Attorney Secures $3.9 Million Judgment Against Merchant of Counterfeit Goods
On January 15, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced that his office secured a $3.9 million judgment and permanent injunction against a downtown merchant for the sale and possession of counterfeit goods. The judgment—secured by the Deputy City Attorney through the BJA-funded Counterfeit Abatement Prosecution Program—is the largest amount ever secured by the City Attorney’s Office in a counterfeiting case.
Los Angeles City Attorney Wins $3 Million Judgment in Counterfeit Abatement Case
In Los Angeles, a BJA-funded Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement site, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced his office won a $3 million judgment in a counterfeit abatement case. He also announced that his office filed five criminal cases involving the sale or manufacture of counterfeit merchandise in the city, obtaining two guilty pleas.
Funding:
The Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product PiracyApplication Deadline: 06/14/2018, 11:59 PMBJA is seeking applications for the Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy. This program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state, local and tribal jurisdictions in preventing and reducing intellectual property theft and related crime.Solicitation
The Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy FY 2017 Competitive Grant AnnouncementApplication Deadline: 01/31/2017, 11:59 PMThis program assists state and local jurisdictions in preventing and reducing intellectual property theft and related crime.Solicitation
The Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy FY 2016 Competitive Grant AnnouncementApplication Deadline: 03/28/2016, 11:59 PMBJA is seeking applications for The Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy. This program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in preventing and reducing intellectual property theft and related crime.Solicitation
National Training and Technical Assistance: Intellectual Property Enforcement Program FY 2014 Competitive Grant AnnouncementApplication Deadline: 03/17/2014, 11:59 PMBJA is seeking a provider to deliver, nationwide, a wide range of training and technical assistance services to law enforcement agencies participating in the Intellectual Property Enforcement Program. Solicitation
Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy FY 2014 Competitive Grant AnnouncementApplication Deadline: 03/13/2014, 11:59 PMThe program is designed to provide national support and improve the capacity of state, local, and tribal criminal justice systems to address intellectual property criminal enforcement, including prosecution, prevention, training, and technical assistance.Solicitation
Protecting Public Health, Safety and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy: The Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement Program FY 2012 Competitive Grant AnnouncementApplication Deadline: 03/02/2012, 11:59 PMThis program is designed to provide national support and improve the capacity of state, local, and tribal criminal justice systems to address intellectual property criminal enforcement, including prosecution, prevention, training, and technical assistance.Solicitation
