Those directly involved in innovation, especially scientists and technicians, are more and more traveling, changing employers and above all communicating, in al

Those directly involved in innovation, especially scientists and technicians, are more and more traveling, changing employers and above all communicating, in all relevant meaning of this term here, therefore by 'publishing' as well as by leaving information circulate informally among peers. A high proportion of scientists go through major US universities. This imbues them with certain ideas and creates social (IRL) networks where 'information ought to be free'. Those who then work elsewhere (let's say 'return to China') just cannot completely drop them, and some even broadcast those ideas and associated behaviors. Moreover the US supremacy on software provides them with increasing means to effectively spy on research conducted in all countries. Consequently, the US ability to benefit from innovation payed for by other nations keeps growing. In a way it is similar to the 80's "Strategic Defense Initiative" against the USSR ('let them dissipate resources'), with the added bonus of being able to rack a fair part of the benefits up.