IPR protection report shows rise in investigations, convictions

IPR protection report shows rise in investigations, convictions The U.S. government successfully prosecuted 35 percent more intellectual property rights offenders in 2007 than in 2006, according to the Annual Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection, released Monday by U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement Chris Israel.
   The report conveys the yearly accomplishments and establishes priorities for the upcoming year for the federal agencies responsible for protecting and enforcing American IPR, both domestically and abroad.
   'This year's report demonstrates the continued commitment of the (Bush) administration to protect intellectual property rights with a coordinated, results-driven approach,' Israel said in a statement. 'The administration has made IP enforcement a high priority through senior-level leadership and smarter coordination. While widespread counterfeiting and piracy remains a serious problem, we are improving the global marketplace for American rights holders.'
   Highlights of the report include:
   ' The Justice Department reporting substantial increases in federal investigations and prosecutions of IP violations. The department filed 217 IP cases in 2007, a 7 percent increase over cases reported in 2006 (204), and a 33 percent increase over 2005 (169). Also in 2007, 287 defendants were sentenced for IP crimes, a 35 percent increase over 2006 (213) and a 92 percent increase over 2005 (149).
   ' The estimated value of the goods seized by DHS border agents rose about 27 percent to roughly $200 million.
   ' Increased emphasis on the annual Special 301 Review, the U.S. Trade Representative-led analysis of intellectual property protection within each country worldwide, and the launch of a major multilateral anti-counterfeiting initiative, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
   The report can be found online at www.stopfakes.gov.