Intellectual Property Theft Enforcement 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 California Department of Justice will utilize its FY 2012 Intellectual Property Crime Enforcement Program funds to enhance California's law enforcement response to intellectual property theft by: (1) coordinating investigations targeting intellectual property crimes occurring within the State of California; (2) referring completed intellectual property investigations for federal, state, or local prosecution; and (3) developing and delivering three law enforcement/prosecutor training programs for addressing intellectual property crime.

The project will be run by the California Attorney General's Office eCrime Unit (eCU). The primary mission of eCU is to investigate and prosecute multi-jurisdictional criminal organizations, networks, and groups that perpetrate identity theft crimes and technology. eCU staff will intake and evaluate intellectual property crimes containing a California nexus. eCU agents will initiate the investigation and integrate other agency resources as required. Upon completion of an investigation, the matter will be evaluated for referral for prosecution by the county district attorney's office, the United States Attorney's office, or by eCU staff attorneys. Grant funds will be used for travel, overtime expenses, and other investigative costs. CA/NCF