ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: The United States said on Saturday it would continue to cooperate with Pakistan in checking Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations by imparting modern training techniques to its law enforcement officials.

US Deputy Chief of Mission Peter Bodde was speaking at the end of a week-long training that focused on modern techniques and use of sophisticated equipment to unearth piracy and counterfeiting of publications, CDs and DVDs.

Bodde said such events were vital to unearth the crime that required high level of sophistication and special units, experts in cyber crimes were required to unearth those involved.

The US Deputy Chief of Mission said the US agencies have successfully prevented illegal sale of US 4.5 billion dollar of counterfeit products.

Bodde said the IPR Crimes Unit of FIA will help create a knowledge economy in Pakistan and create conducive environment for economic growth in all sectors.

He said it was part of a series of workshops aimed at improving the level of sophisticated crime detection with the cooperation of US agencies and assured that similar trainings will continue in future.

Director-General FIA Tariq Pervez at the concluding session said the IPR violation was very serious as international crime and terrorist networks can use this channel for their ulterior motives.

He said the provincial authorities have been asked to set up dedicated units to deal with the IPR violations.

He said the special directorate set up at the FIA to counter IPR violations will get a boost with the training of a batch of its officers from US experts.

Prevez mentioned that under the directives of the Prime Minister a special cell had been set up at the FIA to enforce IPR measures. The Copyright Ordinance has also been placed on the FIA charter, since 2005 and the FIA will continue to spearhead this campaign.—APP