Andrea Sharrin's Case Study
- Andrea Sharrin is Deputy Chief of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) of the Department of Justice, Criminal Division. CCIPS has close to 40 expert attorneys who work exclusively on computer and intellectual property crime. CCIPS also has a state-of-the-art Cybercrime Lab run by a Director and three analysts who provide up-to-date training on rapidly changing technology and forensic issues as well as assist in forensic examination of electronic evidence.
- As Deputy Chief for intellectual property, Andrea supervises an intellectual property team of 14 federal prosecutors and has responsibility for all aspects of the Section's intellectual property criminal enforcement program including a range of both domestic and international prosecution, legislative and policy initiatives, as well as training. Andrea and her team provide expert advice to federal prosecutors and law enforcement nationwide and also lead the development and implementation of the Department's overall criminal enforcement strategy for combating intellectual property crimes worldwide.
- Andrea and her team work closely with Assistant U.S. Attorneys around the country who serve as Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) prosecutors. The CHIP network is comprised of over 200 prosecutors who are dedicated to prosecuting high-tech crimes including intellectual property crime.
- The Department of Justice treats intellectual property crime very seriously. Attorney General Eric Holder has made the criminal enforcement of intellectual property rights a top priority. In February 2010, Attorney General Holder announced the formation of a Task Force on Intellectual Property, a Department-wide initiative to bring a coordinated response to the growing threat of intellectual property crime. The Department has also brought together other federal agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector to share ideas and develop new ways of combating this problem.
Relevant Quotes
"Make no mistake about it - if you're caught committing software piracy or any other intellectual property crime, you will be prosecuted. If you are convicted, you will go to jail. Some people don't realize this, but this is a federal felony offense that carries with it years of jail time."
- Andrea Sharrin | Deputy Chief of CCIPS Department of Justice
- Andrea Sharrin | Deputy Chief of CCIPS Department of Justice