> Calling this espionage is just a misuse of language because espionage is done with malicious and intent and without knowledge of the subject.

State-based intelligence is not "malicious", and so you are misusing language yourself. State-based intelligence can be roughly divided into three sectors: Civilian, military and counter-terrorism. In peacetime, strategic civilian intelligence is by far the biggest, and is used to back trade agreements, various political decisions and so on. It's simply about preserving the country's interests.

With "malicious" out of the way: Most technological espionage is absolutely done with intent and without the knowledge or at least informed understanding of most subjects.