A-CAPP earns 2020 IPR Partnership Award

December 1, 2020 - Jocelyn Tucker

The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) announced Thursday the recipients of its 2020 Partnership Awards during the inaugural private sector recognition ceremony at its northern Virginia headquarters. Included as an award recipient was Michigan State University's Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP).

Awards were presented to 32 organizations, including private sector companies, academic institutions and advocacy organizations, in seven categories: Operation Stolen Promise, E-Commerce Working Group, Sustained Partnerships, Evolving Partnerships, Operational Support, Trade Fraud Enforcement, and Counter-Proliferation Enforcement. Organizations were honored for their work, dedication and shared commitment to safeguarding national and economic security, combating illicit trade, and protecting the health and safety of the American public.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges, but it has also hardened our resolve to protect consumers from substandard and dangerous counterfeit goods. None of the IPR Center’s fiscal year 2020 successes would have been possible without the support and partnerships of the private sector and academic community,” said IPR Center Director Steve Francis. “The organizations honored today are fully committed to intellectual property enforcement and understand there is no quick fix to the problem. While we always welcome new partners, we cherish those who have worked side-by-side with us over the years and we would like to say thank you for your past and future commitment.”

A-CAPP was honored as an awardee for the "Evolving Partnership" award, which is described on the IPR Center's website as, "awarded to companies/organizations that have established new efforts to enhance cooperation for existing operational programs to stay ahead of adversaries."

Read more about the award winners here.