IPO Secures £3 Million Annually to Support Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit Until 2029

KEY INFORMATION:

• Baseline funding for the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) is confirmed for a further three years.
• The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) will provide approximately £3 million annually until March 2029.
• A new industry co-funding pilot scheme will be developed starting in April 2027.
• Since 2013, the partnership has disrupted more than 100,000 illegal websites.
• Operations target counterfeit goods ranging from vehicle parts to fashion items.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have confirmed a three-year baseline funding commitment for the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU).

This agreement ensures the unit will continue its operations from April 2026 through to March 2029. The funding is set at approximately £3 million per year.

A PIPCU funding extension has been secured to maintain the fight against intellectual property theft and counterfeit goods. The unit, based within the City of London Police, works to disrupt criminal networks that profit from illegal digital content and substandard physical products.

Tackling counterfeit goods and digital piracy

The partnership between the IPO and PIPCU has resulted in the disruption of over 100,000 websites since 2013. These sites typically provide illegal access to copyrighted material or sell counterfeit items. Enforcement actions also target physical goods, including fashion, electronics, and automotive parts. These efforts are designed to protect consumers from the safety risks associated with substandard vehicle components and fraudulent websites.

Beyond physical safety, the unit addresses digital threats such as data theft and fraud linked to infringing sites. By cutting off income streams to criminal organisations, the unit supports the UK's creative and sporting sectors. This work helps maintain the integrity of the national intellectual property system.

Adam Williams, Chief Executive of the IPO, said: "Our partnership with PIPCU has been central to the UK’s success in combating intellectual property crime. This continued funding ensures that vital work can continue - protecting businesses, the public, and the integrity of our IP system."

New public-private partnership model

Starting in April 2027, the IPO and PIPCU will launch a pilot scheme for collaborative industry co-funding. This project will test how additional enforcement can be delivered through a public-private model. The goal is to scale this approach in future years to meet the growing complexity of IP crime.

Pete O’Doherty, Commissioner at the City of London Police, said: "It allows PIPCU to apply its specialist capabilities to disrupt criminal activity and protect intellectual property. It is vital that we tackle fraud together as a whole system response and so the value of this public-private working cannot be overstated."

Strategic impact and future priorities

The unit will continue to identify operational priorities alongside rights holders and international law enforcement agencies. This coordination ensures that enforcement action is targeted where it has the greatest impact on criminal revenue. Stakeholders and industry partners are encouraged to engage with the upcoming pilot to expand the unit's reach.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from Council / Local Authority. Document: IPO confirms continued funding for specialist IP crime unit Source Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ipo-confirms-continued-funding-for-specialist-ip-crime-unit

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