Newsroom
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries and breaking news, please email IPR Center Public Affairs at IPRCenterMedia@hsi.dhs.gov.
Recent News
IPR Center, RX360 join forces to target fake drugs, protect patients and supply chains
WASHINGTON —The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and the International Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Consortium (Rx-360), a non-profit organization that brings together pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to enhance patient safety through stronger global supply chain security, integrity, and quality, today announced a new partnership to strengthen efforts against illicit pharmaceutical trade, protecting a vital sector of the U.S. economy and safeguarding public health.
Super Bowl 60: Authorities intercept $33.4M in fake sports merchandise
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal law enforcement agencies today announced the seizure of more than 276,392 counterfeit sports items valued at $33.4 million MSRP following a nationwide crackdown on fake merchandise ahead of Super Bowl 60 in the San Francisco Bay Area. As fans from across the globe arrive for the championship game, Operation Team Player is working to keep counterfeit jerseys, sports related merchandise and tickets out of the hands of unsuspecting consumers.
Veterans Affairs, IPR Center Partner to Protect Medical Supply Chain for Patients
WASHINGTON —The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General announced Operation Genuine Valor on Aug. 13, a multiagency initiative designed to protect the VA supply chain against the infiltration of counterfeit, unapproved, substandard and noncompliant medical devices, equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Success Stories
Pro Network - Counterfeit Goods and Wire Fraud
On July 8, 2022 Onur "Roy" Aksoy, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in the District of New Jersey for one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and to commit mail and wire fraud; three counts of mail fraud; four counts of wire fraud; and three counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods in running a large-scale operation to traffic in fraudulent and counterfeit Cisco networking equipment.
Digital Millennium - Copyright Act and Wire Fraud
In May 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated a criminal investigation into TEAM XECUTER (TX), a financially motivated cyber-criminal organization (CO).
Operation Chain Reaction (OCR) - Counterfeit Goods and Wire Fraud
On October 20, 2022, Terry ROE, the third and final coconspirator in a large counterfeit military uniforms scheme, was sentenced in the District of Rhode Island to 24-months confinement and 3-years supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and to commit wire fraud.
FIFA World Cup - Live Streaming Sites Seized
As part of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) Digital Piracy Initiative, "In Our Sites," Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore seized a total of 71 separate internet domains between December 9 and 18, 2022 for live streaming World Cup matches, an infringement of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) copyrights.
Photos and Video
Operation Team Player
The IPR Center’s Operation Team Player is a year-round effort to catch people who try to pass off counterfeit sports merchandise, apparel, collectibles, memorabilia and even tickets. The IPR Center works with law enforcement and industry partners to intercept jerseys, hats, blankets, T-shirts, championship rings and a wide range of other gear in a global effort to protect people just like you.
World Intellectual Property Day 2022
The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), in conjunction with Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP), hosted a roundtable discussion with youth entrepreneurs and Sean Williams, Co-Founder of Detroit -vs- Everyone to discuss brand protection to help creatives protect their business against intellectual property (IP) theft in support of World Intellectual Property Day 2022. This year’s theme focuses on young entrepreneurs and is titled, IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future.
IP Protect: An Outreach Initiative Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
On April 26, 2021, World Intellectual Property Day, the IPR Center in partnership with Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau announced the launch of “IP Protect.” This joint initiative provides resources – free of charge – to aid small to medium-sized enterprises in protecting themselves against IP theft, fraud and cyber security awareness.
Operation Intangibles