Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) has introduced new legislation aimed at curbing intellectual property theft by Chinese entities. The Combatting China’s Pilfering of Intellectual Property (CCP IP) Act, which Kennedy is sponsoring alongside Senator Curtis (UT), proposes sanctions against Chinese individuals, companies, and organizations found to be involved in the theft of American intellectual property.
The bill would give U.S. authorities expanded powers to block assets, deny visas, and apply diplomatic pressure on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). According to Kennedy, these measures are designed to protect both local Utah businesses and national innovators. “Utah is home to world-class innovators, from startups to global firms whose ideas power our economy. When foreign actors steal those ideas, they aren’t just taking technology; they’re taking jobs, investment, and the future prosperity of our communities,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “This bill puts real consequences on those who steal American IP and sends a clear message: Utah’s creators and America’s entrepreneurs will be protected.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that economic losses from counterfeit goods, pirated software, and trade secret theft cost the United States between $225 billion and $600 billion each year. The FBI has identified China as the main source of intellectual property violations globally. The agency claims that China uses its legal system to favor domestic companies over foreign ones.
FBI Agent David Fitzgibbons, responsible for national security in Idaho, Montana, and Utah, described the CCP as posing the greatest long-term threat to U.S. economic interests in the region. “[The Chinese Communist Party] have a motto of rob, replicate and replace,” Fitzgibbons said. “They want to steal our trade secrets when it comes to our economy. With our corporations, they want to replicate and eventually replace us in the global marketplace.”
If enacted, the CCP IP Act would sanction any individual or entity found guilty of significant patterns of IP theft or knowingly receiving stolen U.S. intellectual property. It would also enforce broad visa restrictions on senior CCP officials—including their spouses and children—members of China’s cabinet-level government bodies, and active-duty officers in the People’s Liberation Army until substantive actions are taken by China to halt such activities. Penalties would extend to anyone attempting or conspiring to violate these sanctions.
Senator Curtis is introducing similar legislation in the Senate.
