Introduction

FederalAgency guidance

Ask Donna

How this section applies to your facts.

DOJ Justice Manual › Title 9: Criminal › 9-68.000 - Trademark Counterfeiting › Justice Manual § 9-68.100

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

This chapter focuses on the investigation and prosecution of trademark counterfeiting (18 U.S.C. § 2320). Supervisory responsibility for prosecutions brought under 18 U.S.C. § 2320 rests with the Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division. Approval authority for all RICO prosecutions rests with the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section of the Criminal Division. See

JM Chapter 9-110.000

(RICO). Investigative responsibility for complaints of trademark counterfeiting rests with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Cases involving importation of infringing articles may also be investigated by the United States Customs Service.

Prior authorization from the Criminal Division is not required for initiating prosecutions under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. However, insofar as applicable civil and criminal statutes have been subject to frequent revision, and criminal trademark violations may often involve other violations of Federal criminal laws that protect intellectual property rights, United States Attorneys are encouraged to consult with the Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section on such matters.

[updated January 2020]

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.