WIND FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS IN CHINA

Wind energy dispute may test U.S.-China IP resolve
Nicola Groom (w/Li Ran, Wang Feng, Gerald E. McCormick), January 9, 2012 (Reuters)

"…American Superconductor Corp, which makes wind turbine components and transmission grid systems, is seeking to recover $1.2 billion from Chinese wind turbine maker Sinovel Wind Group Co Ltd in four separate legal actions in China. The U.S. company has accused its former biggest customer of stealing the software AMSC makes to power wind turbines and illegally canceling contracts. [Both companies are suffering]…

"…Once it gets under way…[the case could prove to be a significant test of China's intellectual property laws, and determine the success of Western companies in pursuing claims in China.]…[T]he case could cause reverberations in the race to dominate the fast-growing market for clean energy technology…"

AMSC subsidiaries and undertakings (click to enlarge)

"Much of the underlying technology for solar, wind and other renewable energy technologies was developed in the West, though China is now a major player in the industry. For instance, the country is now the world's largest maker of solar panels, though solar energy technology was developed in the United States.

"Theft of intellectual property is among the thorniest issues in the U.S.-China relationship, alongside U.S. accusations that China is dragging its feet in allowing its currency to appreciate, and that the nation's subsidies unfairly favor domestic industries…But Western companies rarely sue Chinese companies over trade secret theft in China --in part because of perceptions they will not be viewed fairly, but also out of fear of retaliation in the marketplace…"