TSMC Sues Former Executive for Alleged Trade Secret Leak to Intel

TSMC has filed a lawsuit against former executive Lo Wei-jen, accusing him of potentially leaking trade secrets to Intel. The case, now before Taiwan's intellectual property and commercial court, centers on Lo's contract, non-compete agreement, and alleged violations of trade secrets law. Lo retired in July and joined Intel shortly after—a MOVE TSMC claims was misrepresented as joining an academic institution during exit discussions.

The lawsuit alleges Lo accessed sensitive R&D meetings while in TSMC's corporate strategy unit, potentially gathering advanced technology details for Intel. TSMC asserts Lo may have transferred confidential information, raising concerns beyond contractual breaches. Taiwan's economic affairs ministry is monitoring the case for potential national security implications under the National Security Act.

This legal action unfolds as TSMC maintains its pivotal role in the global AI supply chain, manufacturing chips for industry leaders like Nvidia and Apple. The semiconductor giant's aggressive protection of intellectual property underscores the high-stakes nature of advanced chip technology in an increasingly competitive market.