Intellectual Property Theft

It’s an age-old crime: stealing.

But it’s not about picking a pocket or holding up a bank. It’s robbing people of their ideas, inventions, and creative expressions—what’s called intellectual property—everything from trade secrets and proprietary products and parts to movies and music and software.

It’s a growing threat—especially with the rise of digital technologies and Internet file sharing networks. And much of the theft takes place overseas, where laws are often lax and enforcement more difficult. All told, intellectual property theft costs U.S. businesses billions of dollars a year and robs the nation of jobs and lost tax revenues.

Preventing intellectual property theft is a top priority of the FBI’s cyber program. We specifically focus on the theft of trade secrets and infringements on products that can impact consumers’ health and safety, such as counterfeit aircraft, car, and electronic parts. Key to our success is linking the considerable resources and efforts of the private sector with law enforcement partners on local, state, federal, and international levels.

Initiatives & Operations
- Anti-Piracy Warning Seal
- Operation Wingspan
- Operation FastLink
- Operation Network Raider

Stories and Cases
- Theft of Creativity: Joining to Stop It
- Hybrid Technology Theft Case
- New York Rolls Up Movie Piracy Rings
- Curse of the Green-Glow Camcorder

Get Educated
- Dangers of Peer-to-Peer Networks
- StopFakes.gov Website
- Victim’s Guide (pdf)

Report Violations
- Contact Your Local FBI Office
- File a Cyber Complaint

Key Partnerships
- National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
- Task Force on Intellectual Property Crime