Partnerships

Launched in 2021, IP Protect is a free outreach program that educates startups, as well as small- and medium-size enterprises about IP-related crimes, fraud and cyber-intrusion. 

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. As communities stir back to life, small business owners are rightly focused on the renewed hope of growth. Offering support to these enterprises to protect their hard-earned intellectual property is not only the right thing to do, but also how we will collectively fuel economic development. We commend the National IPR Center for launching the IP Protect Program.” said David Hirschmann, President and CEO, Global Innovation Policy Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) was founded in 1948 and investigates a wide variety of serious offenses that undermine the mission of the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense. The IPR Center partnership aims to stop inferior counterfeit parts from entering the Air Force supply chain, putting Air Force assets and personnel at risk. (https://www.osi.af.mil/) 

The City of London Police (CoLP) is the United Kingdom’s national authority for combating intellectual property fraud. In 2018, the CoLP and IPR Center pledged to work together to tackle the illegal importation and distribution of counterfeit goods that threaten the health and safety of consumers, wreak havoc on local and national economies, and fund criminal organizations involved in illicit activities. (https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/) 

The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) investigates and prevents fraud, waste and abuse in Department of Defense programs and operations, including the illegal transfer of technology, companies involved in supplying counterfeit parts and cyber crimes and computer intrusions. (https://www.dodig.mil/) 

As the nation’s combat logistics support agency, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) manages the global supply chain – from raw materials to disposal – for military branches, federal agencies and combined and allied forces and works to identify and stop the procurement of non-standard and counterfeit items. (https://www.dla.mil/) 

The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration houses the Office of Intellectual Property Rights (OIPR).  This office helps U.S. rights holders protect their intellectual property in foreign markets by promoting trade and investment and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. (https://www.trade.gov/)

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is the law enforcement agency of the European Union (EU) that supports its member states by preventing and combatting all forms of serious international and organized crime including counterfeiting and cybercrime. (https://www.europol.europa.eu/)  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) works in collaboration with agencies and third-party partners to stop intellectual property theft from causing damage and posing risks to legitimate businesses and individuals by sharing investigative information and criminal trends. (https://www.fbi.gov)  

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent federal agency responsible for protecting the public from unfair and deceptive practices, and fostering fair, efficient, and reliable U.S. international ocean transportation system. (https://www.fmc.gov/) 

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) is dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of the public by investigating criminal allegations involving FDA-regulated products such as food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics and veterinary medicines. (http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/CriminalInvestigations/default.htm) 

General Services Administration’s (GSA) Office of the Inspector General is an independent unit responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste and mismanagement in GSA programs and operations through independent audits and investigations. (https://www.gsaig.gov ) 

With 194 member countries, Interpol supports national efforts to combat crime in three global areas, one of which is cybercrime. Interpol’s specialized cybercrime agents coordinate with U.S. law enforcement by providing investigative support in forensics, analysis and assistance in locating fugitives around the world, as well as field operations, training and networking. (INTERPOL | The International Criminal Police Organization)

The Mexican Revenue Service, El Servicio de Administracion Tributaria (SAT), combats transnational IP crimes by coordinating with associations, partners, organizations, chambers of commerce and intellectual property right owners. (http://www.sat.gob.mx ) 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of the Inspector General identifies and investigates allegations of crime, cybercrime, fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct impacting NASA programs, projects, operations and resources, including counterfeit and substandard materials or other unauthorized products that are introduced into the agency’s programs and operations. (https://oig.nasa.gov/) 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proactively works with other companies, federal agencies, international organizations, industry trade associations (nuclear & industrial) and academia to stay abreast of emerging counterfeit, fraudulent and suspect item trends. It ensures that only agency-regulated equipment, components, systems and structures enter the NRC supply chain. (https://www.nrc.gov/) 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is committed to countering cybercrimes, including those involving fraud, identity theft, intellectual property infringements, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime or terrorist activities, child sexual exploitation or cyber bullying. (https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/) 

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s highly-trained special agents and support personnel protect the Army through the use of forensics and criminal intelligence collection and analysis. (https://www.cid.army.mil/).  

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) protects the public from products that pose a risk of injury, death or property damage including fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazards, as well as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals that can injure children. (https://www.cpsc.gov/) 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) coordinates closely with the Department of Homeland Security and the IPR Center to stop intellectual property theft at the border by reviewing and releasing legitimate cargo without delay and intercepting infringing goods and deterring violators. (https://www.cbp.gov ) 

The U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement (IPE) advocates for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights around the world by working closely with U.S. ambassadors and diplomats to ensure that American rights holders are honored overseas, to deter access to counterfeit and pirated goods that can harm consumers, to promote IP protection and enforcement as vital for economic development and to highlight the integral role that IPR protection plays in supporting global innovation and economic growth. (https://www.state.gov/intellectual-property-enforcement/) 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) performs independent inspections, audits, evaluations and investigations to detect and prevent waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement at the VA. This includes combatting the proliferation of counterfeit goods into federal government supply chains, which could harm the safety and wellbeing of America’s veterans. (https://www.va.gov/oig/) 

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the largest investigative arm of DHS with special agents dedicated to investigating intellectual property violations and enforcing intellectual property-related laws. Agency and private industry partnerships help HSI protect the public by combatting the sale of counterfeit products, wildlife smuggling and human trafficking. (Homeland Security Investigations | ICE) 

The U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) cybercrime partnership initiative coordinates with law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the U.S. and abroad to protect intellectual property rights and investigate and deter violations and counterfeit products from entering the U.S. government supply chain, especially when the Department of the Navy is the end user. (https://www.ncis.navy.mil) 

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s enforcement team is at the cutting edge of the nation’s technological progress and achievement, which makes them vital advisors to top government officials regarding strengthening national and global intellectual property policy and enforcement. This encourages and protects U.S. ideas and investments in innovation and creativity. (https://www.uspto.gov) 

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the law enforcement, crime prevention and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service and enforces over 200 federal statutes related to crimes that involve the postal system, its employees and its customers, including child exploitation, mail fraud, identity theft, illegal narcotics, explosive materials, illegal chemical substances, cybercrime and money laundering. (https://www.uspis.gov) 

The U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General (OIG) ensures the efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the U.S. Postal Service by auditing postal programs and operations for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and investigating to prevent and detect fraud, waste and misconduct and deter postal crimes. (https://www.uspsoig.gov)