Counterfeit Goods Law Enforcement Training Program

This program is funded under both the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), the Byrne Competitive Program helps local communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provides for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. The JAG Program (42 U.S.C. 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, and JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system. The JAG Program authorization also states that 'the Attorney General may reserve not more than 5 percent, to be granted to 1 or more States or units of local government, for 1 or more of the purposes specified in section 3751 of this title, pursuant to his determination that the same is necessary'(1) to combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime' (42 U.S.C. 3756).

The Intellectual Property Enforcement, Training, and Technical Assistance Program is designed to provide national support and improve the capacity of state and local criminal justice systems to address intellectual property criminal enforcement, including prosecution, prevention, training, and technical assistance.

The Office of the Attorney General of Virginia (OAG), through its 'Counterfeit Goods Law Enforcement Training Program' will educate law enforcement officers and prosecutors about trademark infringement laws in Virginia and how to investigate and successfully prosecute trademark infringement crimes. The OAG will organize and coordinate four regional trainings in the Commonwealth of Virginia and will capitalize on existing relationships with law enforcement and the private sector, to solicit experts and instructors from this field of associates. The OAG will coordinate the training with the assistance of various law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, experts on counterfeit goods, representatives of trademarks, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, and retail associations.

CA/NCF