Intellectual Property

Proposals in Congress to expand right-to-repair rules for defense systems risk weakening military innovation and safety by forcing contractors to disclose proprietary intellectual property that already falls under existing DOD access rights.

Since the Bayh-Dole Act was passed 50 percent of FDA-approved drugs today rely on (at least some) applied research originating in universities.

China’s campaign of economic espionage against the United States spans cyber intrusions, insider theft, and technology transfer disguised as collaboration. Washington must recognize that Beijing is operating an elaborate espionage ecosystem and take strategic measures to disrupt it.

Watch now for an expert panel discussion on the role of Chinese e-commerce platforms in facilitating counterfeiting, what this means for U.S. competitiveness, consumer trust, and global trade, and the steps policymakers should take to safeguard American innovators and consumers.

A new proposal to tax university patent royalties would do little to benefit taxpayers while undermining the Bayh-Dole system that drives U.S. innovation, risking America’s global leadership in turning research into real-world breakthroughs.

ITIF recommends that USTR include Temu, AliExpress, and SHEIN on the 2025 Notorious Markets List because all three platforms meet USTR’s criteria as notorious online markets. They facilitate systemic trafficking in counterfeit goods, harming U.S. right holders, undermining fair competition, and placing U.S. consumers at risk.

Counterfeit K-beauty products are eroding brand value, endangering consumers, and threatening South Korea’s cultural and trade influence, making stronger cross-border cooperation and AI-driven enforcement essential.

Chinese e-commerce platforms facilitate sales of counterfeit products, threatening U.S. intellectual property, fair competition, and consumer safety. Policymakers should take action to hold these platforms accountable and protect American consumers and businesses.

Section 337 was made into law to help address unfair foreign trade practices. It should be used vigorously to prevent the import of IP-infringing products from firms that systemically benefit from unfair government practices in non-market, non-rule-of-law economies such as China.

A proposed patent tax would punish startups, weaken U.S. competitiveness, and gut a system that has powered American innovation for centuries—all without solving the budget problem it aims to address.