The original title was more direct. "Hey Bambu Lab: come sue us". From my listening to MATI and Josh's legal battles, asking someone to sue you is not always in your best interests but Louis more than likely has the legal teeth and clout to back his demand.
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A valid thing to be mad about, but unlikely to move the needle on any meaningful change. China already does not respect copyright law
No China only respects the IP people with party connections or large multinationals they can't face down (ostensibly). The way to protect IP in China is trade secrets or GB (ISO like standards org)
Let me explain to you how patents work in china (I have applied for before on behalf of someone/myself).
There are three routes of enforcement in China. The PSB (police), the MSS (Spooks), and the Army. The army doesn't play with the likes of us because they just copy everyone shit and use it for free themselves.
1) Any thing applying for a patent in China (or part) is automatically subject a 6 month, "classified" review called a confidential/national security screening.
- IF you don't have the Guanxi or backers, they find way to try and take your IP with their friends.
- Filing abroad immediately invalidates your patent in China perpetually, and subjects you to a penalty of up to life in prison with article 111 of 泄露国家秘密 as "unauthorized distribution of state secrets". Oh and it can be retroactive.
2) Chinese patents do not give a shit (relatively speaking) about theoretical ideas. modifying the idea just a little bit will basically be accepted.
3) Some folks will copy you regardless, and when you go after them the local government will just either say they can't find them, dare you to go after them, or just gulag you (if ruralish). Gets worse the further outside of Tier 1s and is really bad in the northeast/west.
GB is better because its like a more effective patent, because there is only one gov agency explicitly authorized to certify the method, and the examiners.