Taiwanese authorities are investigating a case of intellectual property theft at TSMC that raises national security concerns. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin confirmed the government will work closely with prosecutors to review whether sensitive technologies were taken illegally.
The probe targets former TSMC senior vice president Lo Wei-jen, who retired in July after 21 years at the company and recently joined Intel Corp. Prosecutors allege Lo removed confidential documents detailing TSMC’s most advanced 2-nanometer, 16A, and 14A process technologies.
Investigators say Lo instructed subordinates to brief him on these cutting-edge technologies before his departure. He reportedly took over 80 boxes of documents, sparking internal alarms. TSMC is compiling evidence to support potential legal action.
Minister Kung said the theft could harm Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem and cause financial losses for domestic companies. He also pledged government support if TSMC files a trade secret lawsuit.
The ministry will review its controls for key technologies to ensure compliance with the National Security Act. Kung added that authorities are checking whether Lo had a noncompetition agreement with TSMC that could restrict him from joining competitors.
Taiwan amended the National Security Act in 2022 to strengthen protections against industrial espionage and leaks of operational secrets. The law defines 32 core technologies, and authorities will determine whether stolen materials fall under these protections.
The ministry will also consult with the Industrial Technology Research Institute to decide whether to revoke Lo’s laureate title, which he received in September. Experts warn that this case shows the strategic importance of safeguarding semiconductor intellectual property.
The government aims to prevent further technology leaks, protect TSMC’s market position, and reinforce legal and operational safeguards across Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
