Protecting Public Health and Safety
Predatory and illegal intellectual property (IP) trade practices affect every aspect of our lives. The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) leads the U.S. government's response to stop global IP theft and enforce trade laws.
Comprised of federal agencies and industry experts, the IPR Center develops initiatives, coordinates enforcement actions and shares information related to intellectual property (IP) theft. It also stops predatory, illegal trade practices that threaten the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and national security.
By the Numbers
IP theft is not a victimless crime. Victims are American consumers, businesses, trademark holders and people who manufacture and sell legitimate products. Often, the illicit proceeds resulting from the sale of counterfeit or unlicensed products are funneled back to support a broad range of illegal crimes. Every day, the IPR Center works with industries and agencies to stop IP theft that threatens U.S. businesses, robs hardworking Americans of their jobs and negatively impacts the economy. From criminal arrests to the seizure of goods, the numbers tell the story.
Criminals sell pirated merchandise and counterfeit U.S. products around the globe. And, while it seems harmless to buy a knock-off purse, an inexpensive electronic device or cheaper medication, these trade practices threaten the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy and national security by introducing harmful and banned materials into counterfeit products and supporting illegal labor practices. The U.S. government created the IPR Center to stop predatory and illegal trade practices.
By bringing together domestic and international government agencies and private industry partners, the IPR Center presents a unified force to combat global intellectual property theft and enforce IP rights violations. The IPR Center was established to combat global IP theft and, accordingly, has a significant role policing the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, social media, and the dark web.
IP PROTECT
Learn how IP Project can help small businesses protect themselves from intellectual property theft, fraud and cyber-attacks.
If you represent a small business or organization wanting to learn more about IP Protect, please click on the button below.
RECENT NEWS
2022/12/20 13:18:00 UTC
IPR Center launches partnership to address counterfeit drugs
WASHINGTON – The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) has announced a new partnership between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI) to combat illicit pharmaceutical trade and protect patients from the health and safety threats posed by counterfeit medications.
2022/11/15 13:07:00 UTC
George Mason University hackathon winners fight global counterfeiting
George Mason University’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center has announced the winners of the 2022 Bring Down Counterfeiting Public Policy Hackathon, held at the Homeland Security Investigations Innovation Lab in Arlington. The event challenged teams from U.S. and international academic institutions, companies, and other affiliations to develop innovative ideas to improve public-private collaborations against the industry-wide global challenge of counterfeiting.
2022/10/28 12:58:00 UTC
World Series prompts warnings about fake merchandise
As the 2022 World Series gets underway, fans are heading to Houston and Philadelphia to support their teams and purchase officially licensed gear and memorabilia. With high demand for merchandise during the series, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection join MLB in cautioning fans to be on the lookout for counterfeiters attempting to sell unauthorized, knockoff products and tickets.
Quick Links
- National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
- Office of Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC)
- Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Report to the President of the United States
- Trade | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
- The Truth Behind Counterfeits | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
- Guide to Brand Protection for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises – Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (msu.edu)
- Wildlife Trafficking: Why battling this illicit trade is crucial | ICE
- UL Research Institutes
**The appearance of any non-federal entities and/or reference to vendors does not constitute, imply, or infer endorsement or sanction of their products or services by the IPR Center, DHS, or the federal government.