Intellectual property is the lifeblood of any modern economy, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office reporting that IP-intensive industries account for over $7 trillion of US GDP and over 47% of all jobs (as of 2019). As such intellectual property theft imposes a substantial cost on not only the US economy, but the global economy as well. We’ve rounded up the most intellectual property statistics, stories, and considerations in 2023.

What is IP Theft?

Intellectual Property (IP) theft is an illicit activity that manifests through the unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of intellectual property owned by others. This type of property encompasses patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights. The menace of IP theft is not to be underestimated as it poses significant challenges on several fronts.

One of the primary concerns surrounding IP theft is its ability to stifle innovation and advancements. In a thriving economy, innovation is the engine that propels growth, diversification, and competition. When IP rights are protected, individuals and enterprises are incentivized to invest in research and development, confident in the knowledge that their creative efforts and financial investments are safeguarded against unlawful exploitation. However, IP theft undermines this assurance, leading to a situation where the innovators lose their competitive edge and brand reputation to companies who steal their secrets. This scenario can result in a disincentive to innovate, which in the long term, hampers the progression of technology, science, and arts.

Furthermore, IP theft has a direct impact on economic growth. In the United States, a substantial portion of jobs stem from IP-intensive industries. When IP theft occurs, not only are the revenues of these industries affected, but also the livelihoods of their employees. The economic externalities of IP theft extend beyond the immediate stakeholders to the broader economy. The loss of revenue translates into reduced tax incomes for the government, and the ripple effect continues across various sectors of the economy. Moreover, the financial repercussions of IP theft are magnified when considered on a global scale, with billions of dollars lost annually.

The implications of IP theft also stretch into the realm of national security. Trade secrets related to critical technologies, when fallen into the wrong hands, can pose severe threats to a nation’s security infrastructure. The theft of sensitive information related to defense, energy, or critical infrastructure technologies can have detrimental effects, not only compromising a nation’s security but also its position on the global stage.

Types of IP Theft:

Intellectual Property (IP) theft manifests in various forms, each with its distinct characteristics and implications. Below are the four primary types of IP theft:

1. Copyright Infringement:
2. Copyright infringement occurs when copyrighted materials, such as music, literary works, or software code, are used without the permission of the rightful owner. This unauthorized usage denies creators their due royalties and control over how their creations are distributed or used.
3. Trademark Counterfeiting:
4. Trademark counterfeiting involves the unauthorized use of registered trademarks. This deceitful practice misleads consumers regarding the origin or quality of goods, and tarnishes the reputation of genuine brands.
5. Patent Infringement:
6. Patent infringement is the unauthorized use, sale, or manufacturing of patented inventions. It undermines the essence of patents, which is to grant inventors exclusive rights to their inventions, encouraging innovation.
7. Trade Secret Theft:
8. Trade secret theft encompasses the unauthorized acquisition and use of confidential business information. This stolen information, often crucial for a business’s competitive advantage, can be used unfairly by competitors, disrupting market dynamics and integrity.

Each type of IP theft carries with it a host of legal, economic, and ethical challenges. Understanding the nuances of these forms of IP theft is pivotal for effective legal frameworks, informed business practices, and heightened public awareness.

Unveiling the shadows: How IP and trade secret theft unfolds

Trade secret theft, a menacing form of cyber crime, unfolds through various clandestine channels, leaving businesses grappling with financial losses and an eroded competitive edge. The methodology employed by cyber criminals to pilfer sensitive and proprietary information varies, with each tactic presenting unique challenges. Here’s a dive into some common methods through which trade secret theft typically occurs:

1. Unauthorized Access:

In the modern business landscape, information systems are the bedrock of data management and operational efficiency. However, these systems are often targeted by hackers seeking unauthorized access to pilfer trade secrets. While cyber attacks involving sophisticated hacking or data breaches are common, there are instances where information made publicly available by businesses is exploited. For example, a company offering individualized insurance quotes on its website fell victim to a competitor who deployed a bot to generate and record a large number of quotes, thus unearthing a significant portion of the business’s proprietary database.

2. Misappropriation of Disclosures:

The necessity of business interactions often mandates the disclosure of certain information to third parties. However, such disclosures, even under the sanctity of non-disclosure agreements, can morph into avenues for trade secret theft. Cyber criminals or unscrupulous entities might exploit these disclosures, hoping their misdeeds go unnoticed or that the businesses will refrain from enforcing their rights. A case in point involved an employee who disclosed confidential bid information to aid a rival in enhancing its competing bid.

3. Misuse by Employees:

Employees, given their internal access, are often found at the crossroads of trade secret theft. Their misappropriation of trade secrets, driven by internal discontent or external allurements, poses a grave threat. For instance, key employees might be lured away by external rivals eyeing valuable commercial insights, or disgruntled employees might spawn competing ventures armed with misappropriated trade secrets.

4. Digital Forensics:

In the face of burgeoning cyber crime, digital forensics emerges as a pivotal tool for businesses. The digital trails left by misappropriation often serve as crucial evidence, aiding in the swift uncovering of trade secret theft. By harnessing digital forensics, businesses bolster their ability to recover stolen information, thwart further misappropriation, and send a strong deterrent message to potential perpetrators.

The term “theft of trade secrets” might evoke images of high-stakes corporate espionage, yet the reality often hinges on more mundane acts of cyber crime. Amidst a landscape marred by cyber attacks and data breaches, fortifying cybersecurity measures and forging solid non-disclosure agreements stand as robust deterrents against trade secret theft. Should theft occur, these proactive measures poise businesses to effectively vindicate their rights and ameliorate the financial losses incurred.

Important intellectual property theft developments in 2023

Below are some of the most important developments in IP protection and IP law enforcement.

American Intellectual property theft enforcement is up from last year

Every year, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPRCC) reports on enforcement actions taken by the US government against IP theft, counterfeit goods, and fraud. In the last year, the IPRCC has seen enforcement against these crimes go up substantially. According to the IPRCC:

• Cases initiated against IP Theft are up 21%
• Criminal arrests are up 39%
• Indictments are up 99%
• Convictions are up 29%
• Seizure Incidents have seen a slight decline by 9%
• And finally, the total estimated cost from the theft of American intellectual property is estimated to have gone up from $ 822.3 million to 1.12 billion. An increase of 36%.

The United States Trade Representative identifies problematic watchlist countries for 2023

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently released the “2023 Special 301 Report,” an annual review that serves as a barometer for the state of intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement across the globe. This report is a crucial tool for U.S. policymakers, businesses, and IP rights holders, offering insights into the countries that pose significant challenges in IP protection.

A key piece of this report was identifying and describing trade partners who pose issues to the US’s IP protections. Countries that made this year’s priority list include:

• Argentina
• Chile
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Russia
• Venezuela

The report also details non-priority watch list countries like Egypt, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, Algeria, and others with the watchlist serving as a diplomatic nudge for these countries to improve their IP laws and enforcement mechanisms. It opens the door for bilateral talks and potential policy shifts that could benefit both domestic and international stakeholders.

International Collaboration on IP protection at the Five Eyes Security Conference

On October 17, 2023, the Five Eyes security alliance convened in 2023, underscoring the cooperative spirit among Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. This alliance has a legacy of fostering shared intelligence and collaborative strategies against common threats, and the menace of IP theft has now come under its purview due to its pervasive and deleterious impact on national and economic security.

At the conference, the Five Eyes alliance released the “Five Principles of Secure Innovation” during a joint event in San Francisco. These principles aim at providing startup founders and other business leaders with pragmatic guidelines to shield their intellectual property from cyber adversaries, especially those orchestrated by nation-states​.

At the conference a major theme of discussion was the unanimous concern over China-sponsored IP theft. The intelligence chiefs from the Five Eyes nations came together to issue a rare joint statement accusing China of egregious intellectual property theft and the malevolent use of artificial intelligence for hacking purposes. This accusation wasn’t merely a spur-of-the-moment allegation but a reflection of the amassed evidence of persistent threats emanating from Chinese espionage activities​.

Washington is doubling down on enforcement with stronger laws

In recent times, a significant leap has been made in the legislative landscape surrounding intellectual property (IP) protection in the U.S. This change reflects the government’s renewed commitment to stem the tide of IP theft and ensure the nation retains its competitive edge in innovation.

On January 5, 2023, the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2022 (PAIP) was signed into law by the President. This Act mandates the imposition of sanctions on foreign individuals and entities identified as culprits of significant trade secrets theft from U.S. entities. The Act’s broad sanctions range from blocking all transactions in property to denying or revoking U.S. visas for identified individuals. The PAIP Act underscores the U.S. government‘s resolve to counteract IP theft, particularly when such actions threaten national security, foreign policy, or the economic health of the nation​.

Then July 27, 2023, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) proposed a groundbreaking bill, The American IP Defense and Enforcement Advancement Act (IDEA), aimed at providing additional resources to small business owners and local law enforcement agencies. This legislation, a direct response to the ongoing threat of intellectual property theft by foreign actors, reflects a bipartisan resolve to safeguard American ingenuity.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) hasn’t been left behind in this initiative. A new unit dubbed the Disruptive Technologies Strike Force has been unveiled to address the illegal transfer of sensitive technology to foreign adversaries. This special unit is a clear indication of the escalating efforts by the federal government to clamp down on IP theft, especially when it pertains to technologies that could potentially undermine U.S. national security.

This task force has been instrumental in bringing enforcement actions on high profile cases like U.S. v. Wang and U.S. v. Li where an ex-Apple employee played a role in stealing source code.

The ripple effects of these legislative and enforcement actions are immense. Not only do they provide a robust framework for protecting American intellectual property, but they also send a strong signal to would-be offenders both at home and abroad. The clear message being sent is that IP theft will not be tolerated and that the U.S. is more determined than ever to protect its intellectual assets and uphold its technological dominance on the global stage.

Rising to the challenges of IP theft

As we look at 2023, the data and stories show us the good and bad. The good is that we’ve made progress in fighting IP theft. The bad is that threats are still evolving, and we need to stay alert.

The fight against IP theft is ongoing, but the actions taken in 2023 show a strong and united effort to protect our ideas and innovations. This year has highlighted the importance of keeping intellectual property safe for the sake of innovation, economic growth, and working together globally against common threats.