UK government is planning to launch a new police unit aiming on cracking down on online piracy and counterfeiting. The unit will dedicate itself on tracking online piracy and other forms of intellectual property crime such as counterfeit goods. The government claims that with the unit, it will be the first of its kind in the world, ensuring UK to stay at the forefront. UK’s IP Office will provide £2.5 million in funding over two years to the City of London Police so as to establish and run the unit. The unit will be expected to start functioning by September.
Minister for Intellectual Property, Lord Younger said: Intellectual property crime has long been a problem in the world of physical goods, but with the growing use of the internet, online intellectual property crime is now an increasing threat to our creative industries. These industries are worth more than £36 billion a year and employ more than 1.5 million people. Government and our law enforcement agencies must do all they can to protect our creative industries and the integrity of consumer goods.
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