IPR Center welcomes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as its 21st partner agency

WASHINGTON — In a move designed to bolster partnerships and information sharing on intellectual property crime, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) joined the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) to become the center's 21st partner agency.

During today's ceremony marking the alliance, IPR Center Director Lev Kubiak and NRC Office of Investigations Director Cheryl L. McCrary signed an agreement, outlining collaborative investigation and cooperation protocols.

"I'm excited that the NRC is joining the IPR Center, which as of today represents 21 agencies that have partnered together to leverage our combined resources, skills and authorities to better combat intellectual property theft and identify and dismantle the criminal organizations that seek to profit from the manufacturing, importation and sale of counterfeit items," said Kubiak. "The center will continue to take advantage of the strengths of all of our law enforcement partners and work closely with them in the fight against IP theft."

"This important interagency partnership will play a critical role in the NRC's formal, proactive efforts to address the potential threat that counterfeit parts pose to the global supply chain, which will reduce vulnerabilities as they relate to NRC-regulated activities," said Cheryl McCrary, Director of the NRC's Office of Investigations. "This partnership initiative will enhance the fight against wrongdoing in support of the NRC's safety and security mission."

Founded in 2000, the IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against counterfeiting. The center uses the expertise of its 21 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 the war fighters.

The NRC was created as an independent agency by Congress in 1974 to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while protecting people and the environment. The NRC regulates commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials, such as in nuclear medicine, through licensing, inspection and enforcement of its requirements.

The IPR Center employs a true task force model to optimize the roles and enforcement efforts of member agencies, while enhancing government-industry partnerships to support ongoing IPR enforcement initiatives. The NRC joins the center's other 20 partner agencies, which include:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations
• Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
• Naval Criminal Investigative Service
• Defense Criminal Investigative Service
• U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit
• Defense Logistics Agency, Office of Inspector General
• Air Force Office of Special Investigations
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Department of State, Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement
• International Criminal Police Organization
• Mexican Revenue Service
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• European Police Office

To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit http://www.iprcenter.gov/.