Over 1 million copyright-infringing website domain names selling counterfeit fake goods were criminally and civilly seized within the past year through the combined efforts of law-enforcement agencies across the world, high-profile industry representatives, and anti-counterfeiting associations. The ongoing intellectual property enforcement initiative targeting fake websites, dubbed ‘Operation In Our Sites,’ was facilitated by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), a joint-task force agency led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The IPR Center, which stands at the forefront of the U.S. government’s response to IP theft, worked directly with key international law-enforcement authorities and industry organizations representing the electronics sector, luxury brand-name designers, film and entertainment and several entities specializing in apparel and accessories through the major enforcement effort.
Roughly 33,600 website domain names were criminally seized in a collaborative effort between ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Europol, Interpol and police agencies from 26 different countries. Industry partners participating in the operation were fully responsible for civilly seizing 1.21 million domain names and shutting down 2.2 million erroneous ecommerce links featured on social media platforms and third-party marketplaces.
“The IPR Center is committed to supporting enforcement actions that target copyright-infringing websites threatening the health and safety of unsuspecting consumers by offering dangerous counterfeit goods,” said IPR Center Director Alex Khu.
The center uses the expertise of its 24 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions, and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic inter-agency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public’s health and safety, the U.S. economy and the warfighters. Click here to report violations of intellectual property rights, including counterfeiting and piracy, to the National IPR Coordination Center. [Source: American Security Today]