I’m a victim of Chinese pirates.
Not the seafaring cutthroats with parrots on their shoulders. The treasure these pirates steal is intellectual. A friend in Beijing discovered fake copies of my latest book "Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World" selling over the Chinese Internet. At about $40, they were more expensive than the real thing. But you got an e-version for a piddly $1.50
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but I’d prefer fewer compliments and more royalties. I can’t say I’m surprised. China’s counterfeit handbags, car parts and just about everything else have long been the scourge of global business, from the most famous luxury brands to the humblest designers.