This is a huge problem in our industry. Companies who actually do their own R&D and innovate new technologies literally see Chinese knockoffs (usually with substandard components) within a few weeks of their product release.

It’s not uncommon to see spies at the annual industry trade show with cameras mounted on “selfie sticks” used as extensions so they can get clear images of a product’s innards.

Nobody shows upcoming innovations on the show floor anymore. Instead trusted dealers & associates are invited to private demo rooms, where we sign an NDA before seeing upcoming items.