When an American scooter maker lost patience with cheaper Chinese-made models flooding the United States market, it got some attention by filing an antitrust lawsuit.

Patmont Motor Werks Inc. accused the Chinese government and companies there of making it impossible for the Minden, Nev.-based company to sell its products to Chinese. One aim of the lawsuit was to open China's doors to American-made products.

That improbable goal is now in ashes when Patmont's lawyers couldn't even track down the companies they were suing to serve them court papers.

An increasing number of companies and individuals are likely to face similar frustration. The flood of Chinese imports has triggered a growing number of lawsuits, but individuals and companies often find it impossible to win damages or other legal redress, especially for lawsuits filed overseas.

Foreign companies are also filing lawsuits in Chinese courts, and occasionally winning, against local companies caught violating trademarks, copyrights and patents.

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