News
Taiwan court sets April verdict date for TSMC 2nm intellectual property theft case involving Tokyo Electron equipment
Monday, March 30, 2026 at 01:17 AM
A verdict is expected on April 27 in a case involving the alleged theft of TSMC 2nm technology secrets. Prosecutors allege the data was misappropriated to enhance the performance of Tokyo Electron etching equipment intended for TSMC 2nm fabrication lines. Two defendants remain in detention to prevent the destruction of evidence.
Context
Taiwan’s Intellectual Property and Commercial Court has scheduled an April 27, 2026 verdict for a landmark industrial espionage case involving TSMC and Tokyo Electron (TEL). Prosecutors allege that a former TSMC engineer, who later joined Tokyo Electron Taiwan, collaborated with current employees to steal 2nm process data. The suspects reportedly photographed over 1,000 confidential images of process diagrams to enhance the performance of Tokyo Electron’s etching equipment, aiming to secure lucrative supplier contracts for TSMC’s upcoming 2nm fabs.
This case marks the first corporate indictment under Taiwan’s National Security Act for the theft of "national core critical technology." While Tokyo Electron faces potential fines of up to NT$120 million ($3.8 million), a senior government official from the National Development Council stated that TSMC’s secrets are highly compartmentalized and the leak is "not critical" as the data is unusable in isolation. However, the breach remains sensitive as TSMC prepares for 2nm mass production in the second half of 2025, with initial capacity already fully booked by Apple.
Sources (11)
Shaping the Future: Conferences and Collaboration as Drivers of Semiconductor Innovation | Blog | Tokyo Electron Ltd.
3 men, Tokyo Electron Taiwan indicted over new TSMC trade secret theft - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan charges Tokyo Electron's Taiwan unit in TSMC trade secrets case | ReutersTSMC Espionage Shocker: 2nm Chip Secrets Leaked Over Coffee and Screenshots｜Industry｜2025-08-07｜web onlyTSMC fires workers for breaching data rules on cutting- ...Taiwan hits Japanese firm with indictment in TSMC data theft saga — Tokyo Electron charged with failing to prevent its staff from stealing trade secrets | Tom's Hardware[News] TSMC’s 2nm Data Leak Exposes Fragile Triangle: TEL, Rapidus, and Taiwan-Japan Semiconductor ClashCourt Judgment Sheds Light on How Overseas Infringers ...
Related Companies
TSMC
2330
Tokyo Electron
8035