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TSMC to commercialize proprietary trade secret management system
Friday, August 29, 2025 at 09:31 AM
TSMC plans to commercialize its proprietary system for managing trade secrets. The platform is designed to help manufacturing partners and suppliers protect intellectual property across the semiconductor supply chain.
Context
The world's largest chip foundry, TSMC, has announced plans to commercialize its proprietary Trade Secret Registration System, marking a rare move to monetize its internal operational IP. This system currently manages a database of over 610,000 registered technology cases and innovations. By marketing this platform to its global suppliers and partners in the United States and Europe, TSMC aims to standardize intellectual property protection across the semiconductor supply chain, which is increasingly under pressure from both rapid AI development and geopolitical competition.
This strategic shift follows recent high-profile legal challenges, including a November 2025 lawsuit against a former senior executive who allegedly moved to Intel with sensitive know-how. By providing its ecosystem with a robust digital registry, TSMC intends to foster a culture of innovation while mitigating the risk of critical leaks. As of early 2026, the company has already integrated 12 key suppliers into its broader supply chain excellence programs, driving an estimated NT$2 billion in annual output value through enhanced technical collaboration and shared management standards.
Sources (10)
TSMC ESG - TSMC Establishes the "Trade Secret Registration System Alumni Association" to Comprehensively Upgrade Industrial CompetitivenessTSMC to market system to manage trade secrets, its lawyer says | ReutersTaiwan Invokes National Security Law to Protect TSMC Trade Secrets - The New York TimesTSMC lawsuit claims former exec probably leaks to Intel • The RegisterTSMC's 20-year advanced packaging strategy secures Apple and Nvidia tiesTSMC formally sues ex-SVP over alleged transfer of secrets to Intel | SemiWikiTSMC: The Complete History and StrategyAnalysing TSMC's use of IP to minimise risk during expansion - IAM
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