Former TSMC Engineer Sentenced to 10 Years for Trade Secret Theft; Tokyo Electron Fined

In a significant ruling that underscores the critical importance of intellectual property to Taiwan's economic security, a court has handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Chen Li-ming, a former engineer at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). Chen was found guilty of conspiring with other former TSMC engineers to steal trade secrets concerning the company's cutting-edge 2-nanometer and 1.4-nanometer chip manufacturing processes.

Chen, who later joined Tokyo Electron Taiwan (TEL), exploited his connections and knowledge to illicitly obtain confidential information. The court also imposed a substantial fine and restitution on TEL, recognizing the company's complicity in the scheme. This verdict sends a clear message that such actions, which jeopardize Taiwan's technological leadership and national economic interests, will be met with severe consequences.

The semiconductor industry is the bedrock of Taiwan's economy, and the protection of its proprietary technologies is paramount. This case serves as a stark reminder of the constant threats from industrial espionage and the need for robust legal frameworks and enforcement to safeguard our most valuable assets. The court's strong condemnation of Chen's actions, citing the threat to industrial competitiveness and national economic security, reflects the gravity of the situation from a Taiwanese perspective.

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Chen Li-ming's actions endangered the industry's international competitiveness and national economic security.