Combating Counterfeiting

As health and safety risks mount and the financial impact continues to grow, the crime of product counterfeiting is receiving more and more attention from law enforcement and private industry alike. This crime has become a priority for law enforcement and administrative authorities around the globe. Learn more about who they are and what they are doing:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintains an aggressive IPR enforcement program, which devotes substantial resources to target, intercept, detain, seize and forfeit shipments of IPR-violative goods. Their enforcement is accomplished through the cooperative efforts of trained enforcement officers, other government agencies, and the trade community.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations such as counterfeiting and piracy cost the U.S. billions of dollars in lost revenue. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) combats these crimes through assets and resources including the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Coordination Center), the ICE Cyber Crimes Center, and attaché offices overseas.

INTERPOL is the world's largest international police organization, with 184 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. It is the competent global intergovernmental organization in Customs matters.

Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) is led by the White House and brings together USTR, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Food and Drug Administration and the State Department. STOP! is the most comprehensive initiative ever advanced to fight global piracy where it starts, block bogus goods at America's borders and help American businesses secure and enforce their rights around the world.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.

There are also many private industry associations engaged in this fight. Learn more about their initiatives:

US Chamber of Commerce Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP): The Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP) is committed to increasing the understanding of the negative impact of counterfeiting and piracy by working with Congress and the administration to drive greater government-wide efforts to address this threat.

International Chamber of Commerce Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau (CIB): Formed in 1985, the CIB protects industry from the damage caused by counterfeiting by gathering intelligence, making undercover enquiries, organizing the seizure of counterfeits, and providing expert advice and training to its members, which mostly comprise large multinational companies, trade associations, law firms and technology producers.

International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC): A Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization devoted solely to combating product counterfeiting and piracy.

Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network (CACN): A coalition of individuals, companies, firms and associations that have joined together in the fight against product counterfeiting and copyright piracy in Canada and internationally.