TSMC sues ex-executive at Intel over secret breach concerns

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has filed a lawsuit in the Intellectual Property and Commercial Court against its former executive Wei-Jen Lo over security concerns.

Wei-Jen has recently joined Intel Corp in October.

TSMC in an emailed statement to Reuters said that Trade Secret Act and employment contract terms signed by TSMC and Wei-Jen define the nature of the lawsuit.

As per chip-making company’s findings, it is highly possible that Wei-Jen has breached trade secrets to intel before leaving this manufacturing company.

Earlier this week, Taiwanese newspapers also reported that the ex-executive before his departure also stole proprietary know-how from his former employer.

At TSMC, Wei-Jen was responsible for drafting corporate strategy, including research and technology development at TSMC. Moreover, he was also involved in managing the mass production of cutting-edge chips that used to make AI accelerators.

No comments have been issued from Intel and Taiwanese prosecutors.

Last week, Intel’s Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan also rejected the rumours regarding wrongdoing while assuring that the company not only follows intellectual property rights but also respects core values.