GOP lawmakers urge DOJ to probe Chinese intellectual property theft from U.S. small businesses

WASHINGTON — Two apical Republican congressmen connected Thursday urged the Justice Department to analyse intelligence spot theft from American tiny businesses by Chinese actors.

Chinese IP theft costs the U.S. system $600 cardinal a twelvemonth and has a disproportionate effect connected tiny businesses, Reps. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Roger Williams of Texas wrote successful a missive to Attorney General Merrick Garland. The missive was besides signed by 24 different Republican lawmakers.

"Ensuring the information of American tiny businesses from IP-related crimes is crucial, and we impulse the U.S. Department of Justice to utilize each tools and capabilities astatine its disposal," the lawmakers wrote. Gallagher is president of the House Select Committee connected the Chinese Communist Party, portion Williams chairs the House Committee connected Small Business.

Evidence of Chinese IP theft from U.S. businesses dates backmost respective years. The multibillion-dollar economical toll estimation comes from a 2017 report from the National Bureau of Asian Research's Commission connected the Theft of American Intellectual Property.

A 2018 analysis of IP theft by the U.S. Trade Representative recovered that the Chinese authorities "conducted and supported cyber intrusions into U.S. commercialized networks, targeting confidential concern accusation held by U.S. firms."

In 2019, 1 successful 5 North American companies connected the CNBC Global CFO Council reported IP theft from Chinese companies wrong the past year.

The House CCP committee is pushing for the DOJ's Task Force connected Intellectual Property to prioritize theft scenarios among tiny businesses, which tin cripple those with small means to recoup losses. The lawmakers cited a Fox Business News report describing the theft of a proprietary plan from an irrigation company.

Another tiny concern proprietor had to contend with unauthorized copies of her violin teaching instrumentality connected the Chinese marketplace successful 2019, according to the letter.

Gallagher and Williams requested an itemized briefing to their respective committees with overviews of existent measures to support IP rights — peculiarly against China — and details connected the DOJ's investigative efforts and counterfeit procedures, by June 30.

The House CCP committee was formed aft the GOP regained power of the House pursuing the 2022 midterm elections. It aims to analyse threats posed to the U.S. by the Chinese government.