PI News Round-up - July 9, 2010

PInow.com Weekly News Round-up

July 9, 2010

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We hope all our PInow.com Weekly News Round-up readers in the U.S. had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. In between barbecues and fireworks this week, PInow.com staff members were busy following these industry news stories.

Scam Targets PIs
LOS ANGELES, CA – Former police officer Kevin Sianez is accused of trying to scam PIs and others. Sianez hired investigators and PIs online for subcontracting work and then failed to pay them as promised, victims allege. One PI, Dave Qualls of Qualls Investigations, claims he completed a surveillance job for Sianez and then spent weeks trying to get Sianez to pay.
	Read full article and comment	Source: The Los Angeles Times, July 6, 2010

PInow.com Feature Article

Intellectual Property Investigations a Growing Practice for Private Investigators

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, intellectual property (IP) consists of "creations of the mind." These include inventions, literary and artistic works, and designs and images used by businesses. The main types of IP are patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights. Inventors and creators are entitled to earn profits from their IP. Unfortunately, while some forms of IP are not as tangible as other forms of property such as land, there is a growing problem of outright theft of IP worldwide.

Michigan Vehicle Tracking Bill Becomes Law, PIs Receive Exemption
The Michigan Council of Professional Investigators (MCPI) is pleased to announce that Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has signed into law Senate Bill 325. This new law makes it a crime to attach an electronic tracking device to a motor vehicle of another person without their knowledge or consent. Michigan Licensed Professional Investigators received an exemption.
	Read full article and comment	Source: ISPLA, July 1, 2010

Drobny Named PI of the Year
VINELAND, NJ – PI Stuart Drobny of Stumar Investigations has been awarded the 2010 William O'Neill Investigator of the Year honor. The prize is handed out by the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association. Drobny was honored just weeks ago by the FBI for his role in helping to crack a counterfeit goods operation
	Read full article and comment	Source: The Daily Journal, July 2, 2010

Murdered Realtor Case Now Includes PIs
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA – The family of realtor Lindsay Buziak, who was murdered while showing a house, has now reportedly hired PIs to investigate the killing. Following criticism of the police’s handling of the case, local authorities have revealed more information about their own investigation, admitting that they have no leads as to the motive of the killing.
	Read full article and comment	Source: BCLocalNews, July 2, 2010