2012 Intellectual Property Grant

This program is authorized by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-55) and informed by section 401 of Public Law 110-403, which authorizes the Department to provide funding to support state and local intellectual property enforcement efforts. The Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement Program is designed to provide national support and improve the capacity of state, local, and tribal criminal justice systems to address intellectual property criminal enforcement, including prosecution, prevention, training, and technical assistance. This program is generally informed by section 401 of Public law 110-403, which authorizes the Department to provide funding to support state and local intellectual property crime enforcement efforts.

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) has taken a proactive approach at investigating crimes of intellectual property. Current economic times do not allow for additional resources to be provided to continue multiple or in-depth investigations. OPD's coordination plan includes working closely with other local law enforcement agencies, as well as the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute these crimes. Additionally, the area would greatly benefit from the inclusion of an awareness campaign that would assist visitors, residents, and local businesses from falling victim to crimes of intellectual property. The OPD will utilize the FY 2012 Intellectual Property award to fund the Intellectual Property Project.

The goals of this project are to enhance enforcement of criminal intellectual property laws and create a public awareness campaign. These goals will be met through strategies to enhance enforcement efforts by increasing the number of intellectual property crime operations, cases investigated, arrests made, and assets seized. The public awareness campaign will entail holding events and distributing information to visitors about intellectual property crimes. CA/CF