Aug 28 – Per Nikkei Asia’s Aug 27 report, new details emerged in the TSMC 2nm chip tech leak case: 3 suspects have been prosecuted, facing prison terms of up to 14 years, 9 years, and 7 years respectively, with the case now under trial.
The main suspect, a former TSMC engineer surnamed Chen (who knew TSMC’s strict confidentiality rules and supplier NDAs well), joined Japan’s semiconductor equipment giant TEL after leaving TSMC. At TEL, Chen used his connections with ex-colleagues to repeatedly obtain confidential documents and data on 2nm etching tools, taking photos and making copies to help TSMC improve equipment performance.
Prosecutors revealed Chen contacted TSMC employees (including Wu, Ge, and Liao) who had access to such "core key technologies." They alleged the 12-page involved documents contained highly sensitive processes for IC manufacturing.
Prosecutors are seeking a 14-year sentence for Chen (the mastermind), 9 years for Wu, and 7 years for Ge; Liao was not prosecuted. After the incident, TSMC promptly referred the case to prosecutors and reaffirmed its zero tolerance for leaks, vowing to pursue legal accountability to the fullest extent.
Tech secrets are critical amid fierce semiconductor industry competition.
ICgoodFind: We’ll track the case’s progress to provide the latest industry updates.
