Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Grant Awards

Participants mingle before hearing Attorney General Eric Holder discuss efforts to battle Intellectual Property theft at Towson University. Intellectual Property (IP) theft 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. IP crimes can destroy jobs and suppress innovation in the United States.

Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole listens intently during a panel discussion about IP theft. "Preventing and combating intellectual property crimes constitutes a top priority for our nation's Department of Justice. With the grants we announce today, we make good on our firm commitment to work closely with a variety of federal, state, local, and international partners to more effectively fight IP crime, provide direct support to critical law enforcement allies, and strengthen our ability to protect American innovation."

Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the dangers of IP theft with a panel at Towson University. The Justice Department is also working with the National White Collar Crime Center and the National Association of Attorneys General to provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement on the topic of IP crime investigation. In addition, the department has partnered with the National Crime Prevention Council to educate American consumers about the dangers of purchasing and using counterfeit goods.

A crowd at Towson University listens as Attorney General Eric Holder, Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein discuss increased efforts for the protection of intellectual property. Baltimore County will receive $123,971 in grant funds that will support additional training, community outreach efforts and investigative resources to combat intellectual property theft. This grant award will support the Baltimore County Police Department's efforts to enforce criminal laws protecting foreign and domestic copyrights, patents, trademarks and other forms of intellectual property and trade secrets.

Attorney General Eric Holder announces over $2.4 million in grants for increased protection of intellectual property. "IP theft is not a victimless crime. It can devastate lives and businesses as well as undermine our nation's financial stability, jeopardize the health of our citizens, and even threaten our national security."

U.S. Attorney Neil McBride for the Eastern District of Virginia participates in a panel discussing the need for intellectual property protection. The Justice Department, through the Deputy Attorney General's IP Task Force, has made preventing IP theft a top priority. In the past three years, the department's Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded $10,108,800 in grants to 34 law enforcement agencies to tackle the problem.

Attorney General Eric Holder takes in a discussion about IP theft at Towson University. "The Justice Department is fighting back with these new investments to prevent and combat IP theft by enabling some of our key state and local partners to build on their records of success."

Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the DOJ's increased efforts to combat IP theft. "These capacity-building efforts are paying dividends. In this year alone, we have prosecuted a number of significant IP cases."

Displays at Towson University show the dangers of intellectual property theft. Faulty products and improperly prepared counterfeit drugs can jeopardize the health and safety of consumers. In some cases, these activities are used to fund dangerous or even violent criminal enterprises and organized crime networks.

Advertisements on display at the announcement illustrate how easy it is for IP theft to go unnoticed by the consumer. "That's why, in the fight against IP crime, the Justice Department is – and will remain – committed to bringing our full enforcement resources to bear, and to increasing collaboration with our state, local, international, industry, and community partners."

U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod Rosenstein discusses the state's commitment to fighting the purchase and sale of counterfeit and pirated products. The grants are provided through the department's BJA, and will assist 13 jurisdictions in enforcing criminal laws related to IP theft, through improving their ability to enforce, investigate, prosecute and implement prevention initiatives that address IP crimes.

Lt. Colonel H.C. Davis of the Virginia State Police vows to continue the fight against IP theft. For more information on the NCPC's efforts on this issue, please visit: www.ncpc.org/topics/intellectual-property-theft.

Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole before the panel discussion.