Taiwan Investigates Tech Partners Amid Fears of IP Leaks to Intel
Taiwanese prosecutors have launched unprecedented investigations into Tokyo Electron and Intel employees, marking a strategic shift from traditional focus on Chinese firms to scrutinizing Western allies. The MOVE follows TSMC's lawsuit against former executive Lo Wei-jen for allegedly violating non-compete clauses after joining Intel.
Authorities raided two residences linked to Lo, suspecting potential transfer of "national Core critical technology" to his new employer. TSMC's legal filing explicitly warned of risks that Lo might "use, leak, disclose, deliver or transfer TSMC's trade secrets" to the US chip giant.
The investigations coincide with growing unease about Taiwan's technological sovereignty as US-China tensions reshape semiconductor supply chains. TSMC remains the linchpin of global advanced chip production, manufacturing components essential for AI systems and data centers worldwide.
