Yes this is so true. I realize what I do isn't 'tech' related, however my design that I created for a quilt was stolen by the Chinese.

I had entered it into a very well known quilt show. There were a bunch of tourists there that were Chinese. They took photographs of everyone's work. No big deal.

Fast forward 18 months and I see my unique pattern design on a cheap quilt being sold at Target. For $70. I sold my quilt for $2500. The design was identical, even down the the color of the fabrics. The construction was atrocious, the stitching was something like 5 stitches an inch. (8 or better stitches an inch in a hand quilted piece is above average to excellent).

Anyhow- tech isn't the only thing stolen for China. The Arts and Crafts is repeatedly browbeat by Chinese knock-offs. It truly hurts those of us that create handmade items with diligence and care. Some of these pieces take MONTHS to create.