Recently, I was introduced to the “Thousand Grains of Sand” theory. This theory attempts to explain the strategy that has been used by the Chinese-State to steal IP over the last three decades.

Many of my readers (I have no doubt) are already familiar with this theory, but for those who are not, here’s a brief introduction.
The theory goes something like this:
If a beach of sand is the target (the valuable intellectual property that is) Russia would pull up on the coast with a submarine, send a few scuba men onto the beach to collect a few handfuls and escape, the U.S. would use satellites to determine the composition of the sand. The Chinese-State would send in 1,000 Chinese tourists to collect buckets of sand and bring it back to China.
The theory originated from U.S. Intelligence in the 1990s. Although, we all know, the problem is undoubtedly more complicated than that; it does ring true.
America’s Other Espionage Challenge: China, New York Times
The Analytic Challenge of Understanding Chinese Intelligence Services
Global investigators, attorneys, and IP protection specialists need to recognize this reality and respond to it.
Here is a list of posts I’ve written that attempt to capture the complexity of the problem and ways to defend against it:
Blueprint for Screening Candidates / Organizations – Trade Secrets Protection
Know Your Researcher – Academic Espionage – Trade Secrets Theft
Another Apple Employee-Enroute to China – Arrested – Trade Secrets Theft
UK Private Prosecution – Nightmare for One Alleged Trade Secrets Thief
Employee Use of Company Computers and Email Continues to Chronically Facilitate Trade Secrets Theft
U.S. Educated Chinese Students–Abuse U.S. Temporary Work Program
China’s [Continuing] Trade Secrets Theft Initiative
China’s Notorious Thousand Talents Program – Equal Opportunity Recruiter
Disclaimer: IPPIBlog.com is offered as a service to the professional IP community. While every effort has been made to check information in this blog, we provide no guarantees or warranties, express or implied, with regard to content provided in IPPIBlog.com. We disclaim any and all liability and responsibility for the qualification or accuracy of representations made by the contributors or for any disputes that may arise. It is the responsibility of the readers to independently investigate and verify the credentials of such person and the accuracy and validity of the information provided by them. This blog is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or other professional advice.
GOOD EDITION
THANK YOU RJA
TOM MANLEY SPECIAL AGENT FBI- RETIRED