National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center

🤝 Partnership Announcement: We’re pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with IP House to further combat counterfeiting, illicit trade and digital piracy across critical industry sectors. This historic collaboration will leverage our enforcement and coordination capabilities and IP House’s investigative capabilities to develop and execute comprehensive strategies that protect the public. Together, we’re taking the fight against intellectual property crimes to the next level. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eb6jmdPq

#HSI understands that finding the best deals on gifts for family, friends, and yourself is the appeal of #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday. However, many criminals see these days as opportunities to make money by stealing and selling your financial information on the dark web. They create realistic emails, websites, product ads, product reviews, and more to trick you into giving away your personal details. Financial and cyber investigations crosscut everything HSI does. Criminals are constantly finding new ways to fund their crimes without ever having to meet their victims in-person. We are committed to protecting you and your money – throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season.  Learn more about HSI's efforts to combat cybercrime at https://lnkd.in/eiZSZPAc

**📢 A Message to Consumers from HSI San Juan and CBP: Say No to Counterfeit Items!** Dear Consumers, At HSI and CBP we are committed to fostering a safe and trustworthy marketplace. We want to take a moment to address a critical issue that affects all of us: the purchase of counterfeit items. **Why You Should Avoid Counterfeit Products:** 1. **Safety First**: Counterfeit items often do not meet safety standards and can pose significant health risks. Whether it’s electronics, cosmetics, or clothing, fake products can compromise your well-being. 2. **Protect Your Wallet**: While counterfeit goods may seem like a bargain, they often result in poor quality and performance. This can lead to additional costs for replacements or repairs. 3. **Support Genuine Brands**: Purchasing authentic products helps support innovation and creativity. It ensures that creators, inventors, and businesses receive the recognition and financial rewards they deserve. 4. **Legal Risks**: Engaging in the purchase of counterfeit items can inadvertently involve you in illegal activities. It’s important to understand that supporting counterfeit markets undermines legitimate businesses and economies. **What You Can Do:** - **Shop Smart**: Always buy from authorized retailers and official brand websites. Verify the legitimacy of sellers, especially when purchasing online. - **Know the Signs**: Be vigilant for signs of counterfeit products, such as unusual packaging, misspellings, or prices that seem too good to be true. - **Report Counterfeits**: If you encounter counterfeit goods, report them to the appropriate authorities. Your actions can help protect others from falling victim to these scams. Together, we can combat the issue of counterfeit products and promote a healthier, safer, and more ethical marketplace. Your choices matter! Thank you for being a responsible consumer! HSI San Juan and CBP San Juan

My colleague Jason Beever and I were in Strasbourg, France this week for the 36th meeting of the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA)- Working Group of Enforcement Officers (WGEO). It was an insightful and collaborative week, and we were happy to be invited. As an added bonus, we unexpectedly bumped into our colleagues from HSI Paris, who were in Strasbourg for another event.

It’s that spooky time of year again!! Enjoy a safe and Happy Halloween by following these tips from our partners at FDA. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eDDtfwkA

"We are seeing a lot of diverted medicines coming in from Europe and South America,” said Nicole Johnson, national program manager for the #IPRCenter, which fights counterfeiting. “But for counterfeits, a lot of what we’re seeing currently in the United States is just the reuse of old Ozempic pens — so people can actually just take the original packaging and fill it with saline, insulin, or other dangerous ingredients.” ▶ Watch the full mini documentary here: https://lnkd.in/dTfn77uu

#DYK: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized more than 211,000 counterfeit automotive parts in fiscal year 2024, almost doubling the number of counterfeit automotive parts seized the previous year. Of those, CBP has seized more than 490 counterfeit airbags — more than 10 times the number of counterfeit airbags seized in fiscal year 2023.

Very pleased to speak on behalf of the IPR Center today at the House Rayburn Building at an educational event designed to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit goods. Many thanks to the event sponsors and participants, including the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, and many others.

Three men have been arrested as part of an investigation into the sale of counterfeit car airbags, which could have put motorists at risk. PIPCU and partners executed search warrants at two residential addresses in Leyton and Ilford, east London, during the early hours of 19 September 2024. A third warrant was carried out at a garage in Ilford. A total of 500 counterfeit airbags and an estimated £140,000 in cash were seized across all three premises. Police dogs found £110,000 of this wrapped in nappies and hidden inside a wall cavity at one of the residential properties. The operation took place following a referral from Homeland Security Investigations. Officers suspect that the airbags were imported into the UK from China and sold abroad. PIPCU is calling on anyone who is concerned that they may have inadvertently bought a counterfeit airbag or vehicle part to contact their nearest authorised car dealer so that their vehicle can be checked. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/eZggEHzZ

Don't let counterfeit auto parts put your life at risk! Join us in our new campaign, "Put the Brakes on Fakes," to learn how to protect yourself from dangerous fakes. ▶ https://lnkd.in/e8__ipfH Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, Inc., National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA