D.2: Intellectual Property
Identify and neutralize operations targeting U.S. intellectual property. Other Information:
Theft of intellectual property affects U.S. competitiveness and economic viability. U.S. copyright industries and derivative
businesses account for more than $433 billion, or nearly six percent of the nation’s economy. Similarly, theft of trade secrets
presents a serious economic and security threat. Trade secrets represent some of the most valuable assets within the nation’s
corporate community, as much as 85 percent of a company’s value, the loss of which would do irreparable or fatal damage. Yet
unlike buildings or products, the “mobility” of trade secrets make them one of the country’s most vulnerable economic assets.
Some intellectual property is so singular, or is so closely tied to national security research and development, that its loss
to thieves or foreign intelligence services would cause incalculable harm. The FBI will primarily focus its intellectual property
investigative efforts to protect those assets representing the greatest potential loss to the country. The FBI will also focus
on theft of other proprietary information, particularly computer software, to outpace those targeting this area of our country’s
economic success. Priority Actions: Coordinate with federal, state, local, international, and industry partners to create
and populate an intellectual property rights intelligence database. Create a “Cyber Stagehand” to provide backstopping and
operational support to undercover operations targeting sophisticated perpetrators and criminal groups. Increase the breadth
and depth of human source coverage of computer-based intellectual property theft.
Indicator(s):
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