A Looming Cold War with China?

[Stepbrow]

I was reading a viewpoint in Business Week, and they brought up some interesting points related to the Google debacle. http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/cont...0115_542426.htm

 

1. If the intellectual property, IE source codes, of Google, could not be safeguarded by one of the most sophisticated tech firms, what does that mean for other companies?

 

2. While the Chinese government is never actually named as a culprit, it is usually implied that they either are behind it or don't discourage IT theft. Is this policy related to promoting "Chinese Champions?"

 

3. To get a license to operate in China Google had to agree to abide by certain conditions (Laws). "The fact that these concessions did not protect Google from government-sponsored cyberintrusions will likely cause others to be concerned that their agreements (on paper and otherwise) to operate in China are subject to being unilaterally undermined by government decision-makers."

 

4. If the problems cited get politicized, will this lead to a cold war with China?

[Sam and Fen]

Cold war with our landlord?

 

I dont think our government has the balls.

[Daviation]

Cold war with our landlord?

 

I dont think our government has the balls.

 

While your right - they don't have the balls - I fear they might be just stupid enough to try it... cuz they really don't get it.

[david_dawei]

1. If the intellectual property, IE source codes, of Google, could not be safeguarded by one of the most sophisticated tech firms, what does that mean for other companies?

maybe the concept of intellectual property is too modern an idea for culture reared from ancient times.

 

Go to a history museum in china and see that they copy and do knockoffs starting around 3000 BC.

[Stepbrow]

1. If the intellectual property, IE source codes, of Google, could not be safeguarded by one of the most sophisticated tech firms, what does that mean for other companies?

maybe the concept of intellectual property is too modern an idea for culture reared from ancient times.

 

Go to a history museum in china and see that they copy and do knockoffs starting around 3000 BC.

 

You know David I think you are right. In many areas China clings to the old ways. There is a little irony here though. The Mongol invaders thought "why should we develop a civilization, culture, and riches when we can steal it from the Chinese." The Chinese response was to build the great wall which was not entirely successful. Now, the response of western companies and governments will be to build increasingly complicated fire walls to try to keep out the Chinese (invaders) hackers. History has shown that walls can only be built so wide and so high. They are inevitably breached. So, logically the best defense is a strong offense. IE: the cold war.

[david_dawei]

1. If the intellectual property, IE source codes, of Google, could not be safeguarded by one of the most sophisticated tech firms, what does that mean for other companies?

maybe the concept of intellectual property is too modern an idea for culture reared from ancient times.

 

Go to a history museum in china and see that they copy and do knockoffs starting around 3000 BC.

 

You know David I think you are right. In many areas China clings to the old ways. There is a little irony here though. The Mongol invaders thought "why should we develop a civilization, culture, and riches when we can steal it from the Chinese." The Chinese response was to build the great wall which was not entirely successful. Now, the response of western companies and governments will be to build increasingly complicated fire walls to try to keep out the Chinese (invaders) hackers. History has shown that walls can only be built so wide and so high. They are inevitably breached. So, logically the best defense is a strong offense. IE: the cold war.