Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section

In 1995, at the recommendation of what was then called the Computer Crime Unit, and is now the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), the Department of Justice created the Computer and Telecommunication Coordinator (CTC) Program to protect the nation's businesses and citizens from the rising tide of computer crime and intellectual property theft by designating one or more prosecutors in every U.S. Attorney's Office to be responsible for these issues. In 2001, following a successful model developed in the Northern District of California that demonstrated the benefits of a unit of prosecutors working closely with the FBI and other agencies to establish a relationship with the local high tech community and encourage them to refer cases to law enforcement, the Department expanded the program in ten cities by designating Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units. These units typically involved more prosecutors than under the CTC program and were specifically charged with building relationships in-district with the FBI, other agencies, and the local high tech community. New units have been added frequently thereafter. In 2005, the CTC and CHIP programs were combined into a unified CHIP program. More information on the CHIP Program and historical information on the CTC program is available below.