WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The Obama Administration launched on Tuesday the first ever Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement designed to protect the ideas, artistry and intellectual property from infringement and counterfeit, U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel announced.

U.S. Vice president Joe Biden, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder from the Department of Justice joined Espinel in the announcement of the multi-agency effort to enhance intellectual property protection.

The plan will enhance international enforcement efforts like combating foreign web sites which violate U.S. intellectual property rights by encouraging cooperation and coordination with the trading partners.

Another component of the strategic plan is ensuring efficiency and coordination among enforcement efforts across federal, state and local levels, domestically and overseas through shared information, streamlined investigation processes and training efforts.

The other important point in the ongoing initiative to protect intellectual property is to secure the supply chain to stop illegal products from coming into the U.S.by providing law enforcement with needed authorities.

“The Department worked closely with Administration officials to develop key aspects of this strategic plan to better protect our nation’s ability to remain at the forefront of technological advancement, business development and job creation,” said Holder.

“DHS is committed to disrupting and dismantling the criminal organizations that promote counterfeiting and piracy that threaten the livelihoods of American businesses and workers,” Napolitano declared.

The Secret Service is responsible for investigating violations of laws relating to counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the United States, including access device fraud, financial institution fraud, identity theft, computer fraud; and computer-based attacks on our nation’s financial, banking and critical infrastructure.

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