Taiwanese prosecutors have made a serious accusation. They recently charged three individuals with stealing vital trade secrets from TSMC, the world’s largest chip maker. These secrets were allegedly passed to Tokyo Electron, a major Japanese supplier. The goal was to give Tokyo Electron an unfair advantage. This advantage would help them secure a deal to supply TSMC for its advanced 2-nanometer chip production.
One of the accused is a former TSMC employee, identified by the surname Chen. Prosecutors say Mr. Chen later moved to work for Tokyo Electron. While at his new company, he reportedly asked old colleagues still at TSMC to send him confidential information. This move highlights the intense competition in the high-tech manufacturing sector. Protecting these secrets is crucial for companies like TSMC.
The legal system is taking this case very seriously. Prosecutors have asked the court to sentence Mr. Chen to a combined 14 years in prison. They claim he violated both Taiwan’s Trade Secrets Act and its National Security Act. This particular case marks a first. It is the initial time the National Security Act has been used in connection with the theft of Taiwan’s core technological information.
TSMC quickly responded to the news. The company sent an email statement to Reuters. It emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy against any actions that could harm its trade secrets or business interests. TSMC stated it is committed to protecting its key competitive edges. It also warned that anyone who violates these rules will face the maximum legal punishment. Tokyo Electron, on the other hand, stated it had no “organizational involvement” in the alleged wrongdoing.