US: Chinese Hackers Are Targeting COVID19 Vaccine Researchers

>The US authorities have formally blamed Chinese-affiliated hackers for attempting to steal vital COVID-19 research from domestic companies working on vaccines.

I think that one sentence sums up what is wrong with using the word 'steal' and 'theft' for intellectual property. This article, by using the 'steal', makes it sound as if the Chinese are actively harming the Americans. What is alleged here is actually very different. If I am reading this correctly, American companies are trying to keep vital health knowledge secret and American law allows them to do so. Chinese 'hackers' are alleged to be breaking American law by obtaining this information with out requisite authorization.

This is very different from "Chinese trying to steal American vaccines".