Here is an announcement from Victoria Espinel, the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, in the Executive Office of the President

I’m pleased to report that the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines to add new sentencing enhancements for intellectual property-related crimes. Three of these amendments reflect changes called for by the Administration’s March 2011 White Paper on Intellectual Property Enforcement Legislative Recommendations and the Administration’s letter to the U.S. Sentencing Commission can be found here. The proposed Sentencing Guidelines provide for:

• Enhancements to offense levels for trade secret and economic espionage crimes by individuals who steal trade secrets knowing they will be transferred outside of the United States, or who intend the theft to benefit a foreign government;
• Enhancements for trafficking in counterfeit drugs, which can result harm to public health and safety; and
• Enhancements for offenses involving counterfeit military goods and services that jeopardize the safety of United States troops and compromise mission effectiveness.

The amendments will go into effect on November 1, 2013, unless Congress acts to modify or disapprove them. More information on the amendments promulgated may be found on the Commission’s website at www.ussc.gov.