Riverside County District Attorney's Office Consumer Fraud Program

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 Riverside County District Attorney's Office will utilize its FY 2012 Intellectual Property Crimes Enforcement Program funds to expand its Consumer Fraud Program, to include an Intellectual Property Theft Vertical Investigation/Prosecution component. The primary project goals are to: 1) enforce Criminal Intellectual Property Laws to more effectively combat intellectual property rights; and 2) engage in public education activities to raise awareness of intellectual property laws, protection, and coordinated efforts.

A description of the strategies to achieve the previously stated goals are as follows:

(1) Enforce Criminal Intellectual Property Laws: a) Conduct independent criminal investigations and prosecutions using the vertically assigned Senior DA Investigator and Deputy District Attorney; b) Utilize state forfeiture statutes to seize assets gained from criminal activities; and c) Conduct forensic examinations of computer and other devices suspected of being involved in intellectual property theft violations.

(2) Outreach, Education, and Training:
a) Conduct outreach to high school students, Parent Teacher Associations, community groups such a Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce, and various industries and government (federal, state, local, and foreign law enforcement, pharmaceutical, entertainment, and clothing and electronic manufacturers); and b) Expand the existing task force by reaching out to additional agencies at the federal, state, and local level. CA/NCF