AAPA JOINS EUROPOL INTELLECTUAL PROPRTY CRIME CO-ORDINATION CENTRE ADVISORY BOARD
The Hague, 12 July 2016
AAPA and Europol have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which paves the way for providing further support to Europol as it enhances its capabilities to address audiovisual piracy. The MOU creates a framework for sharing intelligence, data, knowledge and expertise on online audiovisual piracy and to co-ordinate activities, where possible.
The signing of the MOU took place at the launch of Europol’s IP Crime Co- ordination Centre (IPC3) in The Hague on 12 July 2016. The IPC3 is part of Europol’s Operations Department The objectives of the IPC3 are to leverage and co-ordinate public and private sector capabilities to fight intellectual property crime.
Sheila Cassells, Executive Director of AAPA, said: “AAPA believes strongly that the public and private sectors must work together to combat audiovisual piracy and we are delighted to join the Advisory Board of the new IP Crime Co- ordination Centre to offer strategic guidance on the many challenges faced in fighting online audiovisual piracy. Recent actions by Europol in Spain highlight the seriousness of this crime and the complexities which arise from its cross- border nature. The MOU with Europol will allow AAPA to support Europol’s work in co-ordinating enforcement action. AAPA is committed to ensuring that Europol is well equipped to carry out its crucial role and, to this end, we will also shortly be providing training to its officers.”