INTERPOL Intellectual Property Crime College (IIPCIC)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

›› What is the INTERPOL IP Crime Investigator’s College?

The INTERPOL IP Crime Investigator’s College (IIPCIC) is a fully interactive on-line IP crime training facility which will benefit ALL law enforcement, regulatory authorities and private sector IP crime investigators. The INTERPOL IPR Programme is working in cooperation with UL University to develop and launch this important crime-fighting tool. The College’s main objective is to deliver leading edge training to equip investigators with the necessary skills to effectively combat current and emerging threats from IP Crime.

›› What is the mandate of IIPCIC?

IIPCIC is mandated to develop, coordinate and administer training programs to support INTERPOL-led international efforts to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute transnational organized IP Crime. The College will serve the needs of INTERPOL’s partner organizations and other key stakeholders.

›› What is the mission of IIPCIC?

The mission of IIPCIC is to deliver leading edge training to enable investigators to effectively combat current and emerging threats from transnational organized IP Crime.

›› When will the training be available?

An IIPCIC Management Board has been established to oversee the development of the training modules. The modules will be presented in three (3) Levels: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced. The Introductory Level consisting of modules and their component lessons will be produced throughout 2010.  IIPCIC will go live on completion of the Introductory Level towards the end of 2010.  Students who successfully complete it will qualify to register for the Intermediate Level in 2011.

›› How will I know when I can register with IIPCIC and take the Introductory Level?

The Introductory Level will be formally launched at the INTERPOL and Hong Kong Customs & Excise co-hosted 2010 International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference to be held in Hong Kong, China on 19-21 October 2010.  The launch will be accompanied by a high profile marketing campaign.  Alternatively please look at the websites listed below.

›› Will the modules be available in a variety of languages?

The modules will be initially developed in English and will eventually be provided in a number of languages such as Mandarin, Spanish, French and Arabic.

›› Many organizations already provide similar training; in what way is IIPCIC different?

Other organizations provide intellectual property related training specifically aimed at the needs of their constituent membership.  For example, police receive training which is directly related to their role including some aspects of IP Crime.  However, there is no one stop training capability servicing the needs of ALL IP Crime investigators.  Consequently, it is difficult to coordinate and facilitate joint enforcement actions by police, customs, regulatory authorities and private sector IP Crime investigators.  IIPCIC fills this void by ensuring that ALL public and private sector IP Crime investigators have a common understanding of the problems facing them; are aware of each others’ competencies and roles; know what intervention strategies and tactics work; and, are better able to work together in partnership in enforcement operations and achieve agreed upon objectives.  An added benefit is that IP Crime investigators from different countries are all able to contribute to, and participate in, INTERPOL-led regional and global interventions in transnational organized IP Crime.

›› Will other public and private sector organizations and individuals that have specialist knowledge on the subject be able to contribute to the development of IIPCIC?

The Management Board recognizes that there is a wealth of knowledge on the subject and many renowned organizations already have developed excellent training resources.  Of these, several have already agreed to provide material and make subject matter experts (SME’s) available to contribute to IIPCIC development.  Their participation will receive appropriate recognition.       

›› What is the cost to take the training?

ALL relevant law enforcement and government agency personnel will be able to take the training without charge. Modules will be available for a nominal fee for private sector investigators. This fee structure has yet to be established.

›› As a private sector organization will we be able to develop training materials and have them made available for law enforcement through IIPCIC?

As an IP Crime affected industry entity you have an opportunity to develop an industry specific training module.  Provided the module is produced in accordance with agreed standards it will be possible for your module to be incorporated in IIPCIC and be made widely available to all IP Crime investigators.  Alternatively, it can be restricted to relevant public sector law enforcement agencies.

›› What topics will be covered?

Any IP generic crime investigation training module will be considered and assessed for inclusion in IIPCIC.  As the Introductory Level is introduced and IIPCIC evolves the topics will be constantly reviewed to ensure they fit the program.

›› What if my organization does not have the technological resources to access the course?

IIPCIC will develop materials and offer support to overcome obstacles and enable all relevant organizations to have access to the training modules. Our goal is to deliver user-friendly training globally, regardless of an organization’s technological resources.

›› How can INTERPOL's IP Crime Investigators College help me do my job better?

Investigators from law enforcement, regulatory authorities, IP Crime affected industries and other subject matter experts (SME’s) are working together to best utilize all available resources to deliver the highest level of training.  IIPCIC training is specifically designed to provide investigators with the necessary skills in IP Crime prevention, detection and investigation. Integrated training and operations are the central themes of all INTERPOL IPR Programme strategies aimed at delivering successful cross-industry interventions in transnational organized IP Crime.

›› What role does INTERPOL play in IIPCIC?

INTERPOL is the world’s leading international police organization with 188 member countries.  The INTERPOL IPR Programme has established a reputation for providing regional and global leadership by coordinating and facilitating cross-industry law enforcement interventions into transnational organized IP Crime.  These have been consistently employed in Africa, Southeast Asia, South America and other regions over a number of years. 

The INTERPOL IP Crime Programme provides global IP Crime leadership and is the driving force behind the development and delivery of IIPCIC to ensure it meets partnership needs and expectations.

›› Who is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and why are they involved?

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has been in the business of safety certification for more than a century.  UL’s mission is to support the production and use of products that are physically and environmentally safe and to apply efforts to prevent or reduce loss of life and property.  As a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting the safety of consumers across the globe, UL finds the proliferation of counterfeit products particularly troubling. UL further realizes that the only way to effectively deal with these crimes is through international collaboration and partnerships. UL has supported law enforcement efforts to combat IP Crime and has worked with INTERPOL on a large number of initiatives, including the INTERPOL Intellectual Property Crime Action Group (IIPCAG) and the International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conferences. UL is committed to developing and supporting solutions, such as IIPCIC, that are designed to assist in combating the threat of transnational organized IP Crime.

›› Where can I go to get more information about IIPCIC and the INTERPOL IP Crime Programme and initiatives?

 Please visit www.UL.com/ace or www.interpol.int/Public/FinancialCrime/IntellectualProperty for all updates. In 2010 IIPCIC will have its own website developed to deliver its various training solutions.