Bipartisan ‘Safeguarding American Innovation Act’ Would Crack Down on China Theft of U.S. IP

A bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation to stop the theft of U.S. intellectual property by foreign governments, with a focus on China. The bill, titled the “Safeguarding American Innovation Act,” was introduced today by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rob Portman (R-OH), Tom Carper (D-DE), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), James Risch (R-ID), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Barrasso (R-WY), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

According to a press release, the bill includes provisions to:

Last year, a bipartisan report and subsequent hearing outlined how U.S. taxpayers have been unknowingly supporting China’s military and economic advancements via China’s so-called talent recruitment programs. An earlier report by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found that the U.S. Department of Education’s enforcement of foreign gift reporting at U.S. colleges and universities was “historically lax.”

Senator Tillis has lately been outspoken about the threat of China IP theft, and recently on the heightened risks during the pandemic.

“American innovation is one of our country’s greatest assets, especially in times of crisis such as this,” said Tillis. “China has been clear: If America can invent it, they will try to steal it. I’m proud to help lead this effort to protect American universities from attempts to steal sensitive information by China and other foreign adversaries.”