National IP Rights Coordination Center Established
U.S. Department of Homeland Security expands coordinating body to combat counterfeiting and piracy
On 11 July 2008, the United States Department of Homeland Security announced the opening of an expanded National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center ("IPR Center") in a new facility, to unify U.S. government response to counterfeiting and piracy by bringing together the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Commerce, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) and the Postal Inspections Service, and serve as a center for enforcement against international organized crime engaged in IP violations.
The attached government agencies have been tasked to jointly manage the criminal investigation and civil and criminal enforcement activities against IP rights violators. The IPR Center will direct law enforcement efforts in protecting the public from counterfeit, pirated and substandard products that are potentially hazardous to health.
Recognizing that IP rights violations are a transnational threat, the IPR Center will house a 'one-stop-shop' to allow international law enforcement agencies to link up with U.S. government's efforts and information, thereby serving as a clearing house for intelligence, interdiction, investigations, targeting and prosecuting international organized crime engaged in various IP rights violations. The IPR Center will likewise partner with the trade community to conduct training and exchange best practices.
IP right owners may directly report intellectual property violations to this single office, which will disseminate information to the attached agencies for appropriate action. Forms to report specific information on any intellectual property right violation are available online at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website (http://www.ice.gov/partners/cornerstone/ipr/IPRForm.htm).
For further information, please contact Kevin M. O'Brien or Stuart Seidel, Baker & McKenzie, Washington, D.C.