WASHINGTON — The National Intellectual
Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), led by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has joined
together with the FBI and six major American movie studios to launch an updated
anti-piracy warning to be displayed on new releases. The anti-piracy warning
will begin appearing in selected DVDs and Blu-rays released this week. The six
movie studios, all members of the Motion Picture Association of America, have
agreed to utilize the anti-piracy warning.
The joint FBI/HSI anti-piracy warning
displays, for the first time, the HSI badge alongside the FBI anti-piracy warning
seal and states that, "The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of
this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is
investigated by federal law enforcement agencies and is punishable by up to 5
years in prison and a fine of $250,000." A second screen displays the IPR
Center logo with the educational message, "Piracy is not a victimless
crime. For more information on how digital theft harms the economy, please
visit www.iprcenter.gov."
"Our nation's film and TV business
is critical to our economy," said ICE Director John Morton. "Its
creativity and imagination have made American entertainment one of our greatest
exports over the decades, but criminals are increasingly engaging in new forms
of digital theft. Law enforcement must continue to expand how it combats
criminal activity; public awareness and education are a critical part of that
effort."
The IPR Center works closely with public
and private entities to increase awareness and information sharing about the
harmful effects of piracy on American innovation, lost jobs and the economy.
The IPR Center also brings attention to the organized criminal enterprises
often behind IP theft and the public safety implications of counterfeit goods.
In June 2010, HSI launched Operation In
Our Sites, which targets online commercial intellectual property crime,
including websites offering pirated movies and television shows as well as a
diverse array of counterfeit goods, such as sports equipment, shoes, handbags,
athletic apparel, sunglasses and DVD boxed sets. To date, more than 760 domain
names of websites engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and
illegal copyrighted works have been seized as a result of Operation In Our
Sites. Eleven individuals have been charged with crimes or arrested, and more
than $1 million has been seized as criminal proceeds.
As the largest investigative arm of the
Department of Homeland Security, HSI plays a leading role in targeting criminal
organizations responsible for producing, smuggling and distributing counterfeit
and pirated products. HSI focuses not only on keeping counterfeit products off
our streets, but also on dismantling the criminal organizations behind such
illicit activity.
The IPR Center is one of the U.S.
government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and
piracy. As a task force, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 20 member
agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement
actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic
interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and
safety, the U.S. economy and our war fighters.
To report IP theft or to learn more
about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.
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