CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 Running head: CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF THE INTERLECTUAL PROPERTY 1
CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
The threat that China poses to the United States
Name
Institution
CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 2
CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Abstract
Over the recent past, there have been massive developments concerning the use of computer
technology and the internet to conduct surveillance upon enemy nations or rival countries by
other opposing powers. This paper discusses the recent developments in cyber space warfare and
the role of china in the current threats that have placed the United States of America and the
world as a whole on high alerts. The paper posits that there are steps the Chinese government has
refused to take regarding the level of internet usage to access foreign intellectual content. Instead
of working together with the USA and other governments to reach an agreement on the way they
can exchange military intelligence, for example, the Chinese have reportedly hacked into the
systems of other governments and helped themselves with this intellectual property. This paper
discusses some of the most prevalent issues regarding Chinese IP theft as well as the
characteristics of these thefts. The paper also analyzes the factors that will facilitate success and
collaboration relative to China IP threats. 
CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 3
Introduction
In the recent past, there have been various threats as well as successful attempts by the
Chinese to hack into the Computer intelligence systems of the United States government with the
aim of stealing highly classified information regarding some of the core US operation schema.
These recent threats are not the first of their kind, since the first IP theft cases can be traced back
to as early as the 1970s. However, many researchers and scholars have given their opinions
concerning the increasing cases of cyber attacks, with divergent opinions being brought into
light. While some hold that theft of intellectual property of high value like military operations are
acts of war, others argue that these are necessary evil that a country may indulge in to get trade
secrets for the sole purposes of economic development.
Consistent research into the issue has revealed some cases of intellectual property thefts
across history, and especially involving the US. What these researchers have failed to give the
much deserved attention is the reasons why these IP thefts occur. Similarly, researchers have
given only a small deal of research into the role of China in IP theft and its driving factor
towards cyber war. The aim of this research paper, therefore, is to fill this information gap by
offering an in-depth analysis on China’s case. In order to achieve this, the paper will corroborate
information from both primary and secondary sources on the topic of discussion so as to offer
balanced arguments. The writer holds the position that the degree of involvement of China in IP
theft has reached the extent that it can no longer be ignored or wished away. China is becoming a
threat to the security of data in the computer achieves of the US, and by extension, the entire
world. 
CYBER WAR AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 4
This paper is divided into various sections for ease of analysis or perusal in the following
manner. This section, which is the first section, is the introduction, which offer insight into the
content of the paper and the objective of study the second section outlines some of the most
important issues that have so far come into play regarding the formulation of China IP threats.
The third section analyses some of the most fundamental characteristics of China IP threats, and
the fourth section discusses the factors that will facilitate success and collaboration relative to
China IP/threats. The paper winds up in a conclusive summary which offers a preview of the
discussion and the author’s thoughts on the same.
Global issues associated with formulating China IP/threats
The prosecution problem
Intellectual property refers to anything that is uniquely created by someone largely by the
use of their mind (intellect) and, as such, has exclusive ownership rights. These rights are
protected by the law and they extend to items such as music, art, literary content, inventions and
discoveries, and symbols among others. In the computer world, they include programs, software,
hardware, firmware and certain pieces of information that are otherwise classified to the
owner(s). Today, most countries own huge archives of information regarding important
functionalities of the government. The information can include anything from personal data of
citizens, criminals, government, employees; to profiles of business organizations, their historical
or criminal activities; to the country’s military and defense strategies.
Chinese hackers continue to plague the world with the