Key Points
- Taiwanese prosecutors raided the homes of a former TSMC executive, Wei-Jen Lo.
- TSMC is suing Lo, accusing him of leaking trade secrets to his new employer, Intel.
- Intel has strongly denied the allegations and is standing by its new employee.
- Lo was a key figure in developing TSMC’s most advanced and valuable chip technology.
The high-stakes world of semiconductor manufacturing just got more dramatic. Taiwanese authorities have raided the homes of a former top executive from chip giant TSMC, seizing computers and other evidence after the company accused him of leaking trade secrets to his new employer, Intel.
At the center of the storm is Wei-Jen Lo, a former senior vice president at TSMC who recently joined Intel. TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, filed a lawsuit against Lo, claiming there’s a “high probability” he will share the company’s confidential information with its American rival.
Prosecutors in Taiwan confirmed they are investigating Lo for possible violations of the country’s National Security Act. Following the raids on his homes, a court also approved a request to freeze some of his assets, including shares and real estate.
Intel is pushing back hard against the accusations. In a statement, the U.S. chipmaker said it has “no reason to believe there is any merit to the allegations.” The company defended Lo, calling him a widely respected industry leader known for his integrity. Intel added that talent moving between companies is a normal and healthy part of the tech industry.
Lo had a long and distinguished career at TSMC, where he was a key figure in developing the company’s most advanced 5-nanometer, 3-nm, and 2-nm chips. Before his 21-year stint at TSMC, he worked at Intel for 18 years, making his return to the company a high-profile move that has now escalated into a serious legal battle.
