I&#x27;m no expert, but we do import quite a bit of a specific type of electronics from China.  The various companies steal from each other with impunity.  Not just ideas...like specific microcode for example.  The physical proximity, plus the fact that it&#x27;s not technically illegal makes it easy.<p>Stealing from Germany&#x2F;Switzerland&#x2F;Japan might have consequences, at least for exporting to where you stole from. It&#x27;s also not as easy as just hiring away an expert from down the street.