Justice Dept. tackles piracy

FBI, Customs work to protect intellectual property

By CHRISTOPHER STERN

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Dept. has launched a concerted effort to make intellectual property secure from foreign and domestic copyright pirates.

The FBI and the U.S. Customs Service will be focusing on several problem areas, including high-tech corridors along the East and West coasts. On the international side, federal prosecutors and investigators will work with foreign officials in Europe and Asia to boost awareness of the need to protect intellectual property.

Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder announced the initiative last week in San Jose, Calif.

"We are here to send the message that those who steal our intellectual property will be prosecuted," Holder said. "This is theft pure and simple."