A report from Global Defense Corp recounts that Egypt has agreed to buy fighter jets from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). (Egypt signed agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets – Global Defense Corp)

Aviation experts have long discussed the extent to which AVIC used intellectual property (IP) improperly appropriated from US companies to design the J-10s. As an airplane, the J-10 competes with the Lockheed F-16 in capabilities and mission sets.

If AVIC did misappropriate IP, when it sells aircraft that it manufactures to, first, Pakistan and, now, Egypt, AVIC does not need to charge for the IP that AVIC did not have to develop with its own funds.

The US Congress should pass legislation facilitating recoveries against either sellers or buyers of products that incorporate IP improperly obtained from US researchers or developers.