So rampant is IP infringement not just in China but worldwide that many multinationals reckon it's one battle in which there is no victory.

IDC found that as recently as 2007, CIOs were reluctant to adopt social media software for fear of IP infringement and poor support: two mission-critical elements of any enterprise.

Traditionally, damage awards in Chinese IP lawsuits have been small, and the plaintiffs have usually been foreigners suing Chinese companies claiming infringement of IP rights.