Theft of intellectual property (IP) involves the unauthorized use, disclosure, or appropriation of proprietary information — such as trade secrets, client lists, product designs, or copyrighted material. This form of financial misconduct can result in substantial economic harm, lost competitive advantage, and long-term damage to an organization’s reputation.
IP theft may occur internally through departing employees or externally via unauthorized access, and is often difficult to detect until the harm is already done. Prompt forensic intervention is critical to assess the extent of the breach and preserve evidence for legal action.
How LMD Forensic Accounting Can Help
At LMD Forensic Accounting, we support legal teams and business leaders in identifying, documenting, and responding to IP theft. Our work focuses on financial tracing, access analysis, and evidence preservation to support civil or criminal proceedings.
Our services include:
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Reviewing employee activity, communications, and data access logs
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Tracing digital movements of protected files or intellectual assets
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Analyzing financial transactions related to competitive ventures
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Assessing damages and potential business impact
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Preparing reports that are structured, impartial, and admissible in court
We collaborate closely with legal counsel, IT forensic specialists, and HR teams to ensure that findings are accurate, defensible, and actionable.
Theft of Intellectual property
Examples of Intellectual property theft may include:
Intellectual property theft can affect organizations across a range of industries, from professional services to technology and manufacturing. Common examples include:
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Copying or transferring confidential client data before resignation
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Misappropriating trade secrets or proprietary formulas
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Unauthorized use of internal processes, software, or business methods
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Sharing protected documents with a competitor
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Using copyrighted materials without permission in new ventures
Contact Us
If you suspect that intellectual property has been stolen or misused, contact LMD Forensic Accounting to schedule a confidential review.