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AI and Executive Impersonation Heighten Online IP Risks, CSC Report Finds

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Summary

CSC’s 2026 report, based on a survey of 300 IP-law executives, identifies impersonation, phishing, and domain abuse as major risks. Respondents say AI is accelerating infringement, while fake executive profiles and fraudulent FIFA-related domains threaten users and data

Key points

  • CSC surveyed 300 senior executives specializing in intellectual property law in Q2 2026.
  • Twenty-seven percent reported a significant rise in infringements over the past year; 52% expect a significant increase over the next three years.
  • Internet and branded content, online marketplaces, and paid search were the most frequently targeted channels.
  • Fake chief executives on LinkedIn have used fraudulent job offers to collect personal information, according to the article.
  • CSC identified 65,590 third-party domains containing “FIFA” registered from January 2022 to April 2026; some were linked to scams involving tickets, travel, merchandise, streaming, or giveaways.
  • Ninety percent of respondents said AI-enabled systems were increasing the frequency of online IP infringement and similar threats.
  • Respondents cited slow enforcement, limited staffing, and high infringement volumes as major operational challenges; 60% were concerned about defensive registration costs as new gTLDs expand.

Article Details

Publisher
CSC
Report Period
2026
Scope
Online intellectual property infringement risks, including impersonation, phishing, domain-name abuse, and AI-enabled fraud.
Sample Size
300 senior executives specializing in intellectual property law; surveyed in Q2 2026.
Key Statistics
  • 27% of respondents reported a significant increase in IP infringements over the previous 12 months.
  • 52% expected a significant increase in IP infringements over the next three years.
  • Among respondents whose organizations experienced increased online IP infringement, 28% cited internet and branded content as the most targeted category.
  • 65,590 third-party domains containing “FIFA” were registered from January 2022 through April 2026; the article notes that some were lawful and others were linked to scams.
  • 90% of respondents said AI-enabled systems were increasing the frequency of online IP infringements and similar threats.

People

Elliott ChampionCSC Global Product Director for Brand Protection; described a Fashion Week scam requesting payment in Bitcoin and other virtual currencies.Mary Jo MurphyCSC Product Manager for Brand and Fraud services; commented on revenue and consumer-trust impacts of IP infringement.

Vendors

CSCCSC’s State of Online IP Risk 2026 report says impersonation, phishing, and domain-name abuse are the most concerning forms of online intellectual property infringement, with internet branded content, online

Industries

FashionElliott Champion, Global Product Director for Brand Protection at CSC, cited a sophisticated Fashion Week scam that promised access to runway-show tickets, private shopping experiences, dress rentals, photo shoots andPharmaceuticalsThis activity can also affect consumer trust, especially when you’re talking about the risk to safety with products such as pharmaceuticals or car parts.”