Intel has defended itself towards accusations that its newest government rent stole commerce secrets and techniques, as TSMC sues the exec and Taiwanese prosecutors say they’ve begun a probe into the incident.
Wei-Jen Lo, a Taiwanese engineer, joined Intel this fall, employed to assist the corporate enhance its mass manufacturing processes. He’d beforehand labored on the American firm within the ‘80s, throughout its growth years, earlier than becoming a member of TSMC in 2004, serving to to supervise that firm’s most profitable interval too.
This week TSMC announced that it was suing Lo, alleging that he violated his employment contract and noncompete settlement, together with Taiwan’s Commerce Secrets and techniques Act. “There’s a excessive chance that Lo makes use of, leaks, discloses or transfers TSMC’s commerce secrets and techniques and confidential info to Intel, thus making authorized actions vital,” TSMC mentioned.
The Taiwanese authorities are actually concerned too. Reuters reports that prosecutors have opened a probe into Lo, and that investigators have raided two of his properties, seizing computer systems, USB drives and different proof. Lo’s actual property and shares can also be seized.
“Based mostly on every part we all know, we’ve no cause to consider there’s any advantage to the allegations involving Mr. Lo,” an nameless Intel spokesperson advised Reuters, defending its insurance policies to ban the switch of confidential third-party info. “We take these commitments significantly,” Intel mentioned.
