Trade tangles.

With China and other Asian countries increasing their imports of technology and other goods to the United States, a new wave of complex legal battles could be in the offing.

"As China becomes more and more commercialized, this is going to be something that American courts will have to deal with," said Dennis Ellis of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP. "Companies in Hong Kong and Mainland China will be working with and getting in disputes with American companies and seek resources from U.S. courts for relief."

Ellis recently led a team that obtained a $117 million writ of attachment on behalf New World Trot Ltd., a media and technology company based in Hong Kong.

According to Ellis, New World was attempting to introduce its video-on-demand technology in the United States through Fremont-based Prediwave Corp. The suit alleges that Prediwave failed to deliver its set-top boxes, which were needed to disseminate New World's technology.

The writ sets aside $117 million in Prediware's bank account for immediate payment to New World if the Hong Kong firm prevails in the June 19 trial in Santa Clara County. The total amount New World is seeking from Prediwave is $700 million, remuneration for investments and purchases.

Prediwave did not return calls seeking comment.