More-developed societies develop technology; less-developed societies use them without paying the huge costs of development.

If you patent something, you can charge what you like for the license. Were you suggesting that some countries ignore patent law; or that extenalities (such as failed R&D projects and education costs) don't get recompensed? Or something else?

But not always. Japan has for decades been cashing in on American developments in cars, automation, steelmaking, ICs, and other areas.

That's probably unfair. Japan files a lot of patents -- more than the US by some measures.

The subject was discussed at Overcoming Bias recently.