CCP IP Act

This bill aims to punish people and companies in China involved in repeated theft of U.S. ideas, inventions, or trade secrets. It tells the President to block their assets in the U.S. and stop U.S. persons from doing business with them if they operate in a Chinese sector tied to a pattern of significant theft or receiving stolen U.S. intellectual property. It also makes those individuals ineligible for U.S. visas and cancels any current visas. The President can lift or waive sanctions only if it’s in the national security interest or if the person stops the behavior, and must report to Congress within 180 days naming who qualifies for sanctions. Penalties apply for anyone who tries to get around these rules.

The bill also blocks U.S. visas for certain Chinese government and military leaders—and their spouses and children—unless the President certifies in a given year that China has stopped supporting efforts to infringe on U.S. intellectual property. The State Department must also report within 180 days on how well visa screening works against IP theft and list research institutions linked to China’s military and security services.

• Key points
  • Who is affected: Chinese nationals and entities tied to repeated theft of U.S. intellectual property; senior Chinese Communist Party officials (and their families); Chinese cabinet members; active-duty People’s Liberation Army members.
  • What changes: Asset blocking and transaction bans; visa denials and revocations; reports to Congress; possible waivers and termination if behavior stops.
  • When: Sanctions apply on or after enactment; required reports are due within 180 days; yearly certification can pause certain visa blocks.