The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center's (IPR Center) Outreach & Training Unit engages in partnerships with public and private sectors to combat Intellectual Property (IP) theft through its Operation Joint Venture (Joint Venture) initiative. This IPR Center-led outreach initiative increases information sharing with public and private sectors to combat the illegal importation and distribution of counterfeit, substandard and tainted goods. Joint Venture targets rights holders, manufacturers, importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, bonded facilities, carriers and others to discuss the IPR Center's priorities of protecting public health and safety, the economy and the war fighter.
Through outreach and public engagement, the Outreach & Training Unit raises the public's awareness of the dangers of trade based violations, such as IP theft, while serving as a public point of contact for investigative leads. The IPR Center's target audience includes a broad spectrum of industries and government agencies to include, but not limited to: pharmaceutical, entertainment, wearing apparel, sports, electronic and automobile manufacturers, importers, and law enforcement officials.
In addition to the industry outreach mission, the Outreach & Training Unit conducts domestic and international training of federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement. Domestically, the IPR Center supports and coordinates training through its state and local engagement initiative that provides the Homeland Security Investigation's (HSI) led IP Theft Enforcement Teams (IPTETs) with specific training on combating IP theft. In addition, the IPR Center works with other entities, such as the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition's Foundation, the National Association of Attorneys General and the National White Collar Crime Center to support their domestic IPR training efforts.
The IPR Center also participates in international training and capacity building programs. The Outreach & Training Unit works closely with its partners' international attaché networks and local U.S. embassies to deliver training and support capacity building bilaterally and through international organizations such as the World Customs Organization and INTERPOL. The IPR Center provides instructors and materials to the International Law Enforcement Academy trainings in Botswana, Thailand, Hungary, Peru and El Salvador. In addition, the IPR Center supports the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's international training events at their Global IP Academy, and hosts visits by international law enforcement and customs officers participating in various International Visitor's Programs. Through these efforts, the IPR Center is enhancing cooperation, increasing skill sets, and facilitating relationships with international partners that are critical in addressing IP theft overseas.
For more information about the IPR Center's outreach and training efforts or to request a Joint Venture presentation, please contact the Outreach & Training Unit by phone at 1-866-IPR-2060, by email at IPRCenter@dhs.gov, or by U.S. mail at National IPR Coordination Center, 2451 Crystal Drive Stop 5105, Arlington, VA 20598-5105 attn: Outreach & Training Unit Chief.