Taiwan’s semiconductor company sues former executive for alleged leak to Intel

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) said Tuesday that it filed a lawsuit against former executive Lo Wei-jen on suspicion that he allegedly leaked company secrets to American competitor, Intel, Focus Taiwan reported.

Wei-Jen Lo joined Intel after spending 21 years at TSMC, leaving in July, according to a statement from the Taiwanese chipmaker, which announced the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is based on Lo's employment contract, non-compete agreement with TSMC, and regulations such as the Trade Secrets Act, said a statement.

By accepting an executive vice president role at Intel, TSMC claims Lo is "highly likely" to have used, shared, disclosed or transferred the company’s trade secrets or confidential information to a competitor.

This legal action follows a recent announcement by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, which revealed it had begun investigating Lo for allegedly stealing sensitive information on TSMC's 2-nanometer, A16 and A14 processes before his retirement.

Prosecutors have not yet filed criminal charges against Lo.