Mission Statement

The Attorney General established the Intellectual Property (IP) Task Force in February 2010, designating the Deputy Attorney General as the Chair.  The IP Task Force seeks to support prosecutions in priority areas, promote innovation through heightened civil enforcement, achieve greater coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and increase focus on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders. 

The IP Task Force supports the Department’s efforts to aggressively investigate and prosecute a wide range of IP crimes, with a particular focus on:  (1) public health and safety; (2) theft of trade secrets and economic espionage; and (3) large-scale commercial counterfeiting and piracy.  The Department places a special emphasis on the investigation and prosecution of IP crimes that are committed or facilitated by cyber-enabled means or perpetrated by organized criminal networks.  The IP Task Force also supports state and local law enforcement’s efforts to address criminal intellectual property enforcement by providing grants and training. 

IP Task Force Members include the Assistant Attorney Generals (or equivalent) for the following components:

• Antitrust Division (ATR)
• Civil Division (CIV)
• Criminal Division (CRM)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• National Security Division (NSD)
• Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
• Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA)
• Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
• United States Attorneys Offices/Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA)

The IP Task Force also works closely with the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC), housed in the White House Office of Management and Budget.