TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) reported this year a suspected theft of 2-nanometer process technology, prompting a large-scale investigation by Taiwan's prosecutors. The case initially involved individual suspects but gradually expanded to whether Tokyo Electron failed in its management. Taiwan's prosecutors recently announced that they have prosecuted Tokyo Electron's Taiwan subsidiary under the Trade Secrets Act and the National Security Act, seeking a fine of 120000000 new Taiwan dollars.

TSMC reported a breach of confidentiality, prompting prosecutors to initiate an in-depth investigation.

TSMC reported to the government this year about a suspected outflow of 2-nanometer technology, triggering an investigation by Taiwan's prosecutors. The investigation revealed that an engineer with the surname Chen, who previously worked at TSMC and later at Tokyo Electron, allegedly used past contacts to solicit highly sensitive 2-nanometer process data from former colleagues, involving the risk of advanced technology transfer.

Due to the nature of the requested content being core to the wafer manufacturing process, the investigation has been expanded to clarify whether it involves cross-border use and national security issues.

Involvement in the certification of Japanese business equipment has escalated into a national security issue.

In August this year, the investigation formally charged three individuals involved in the case. The investigation indicated that the defendant Chen attempted multiple times to obtain information related to advanced manufacturing processes during his tenure at TSMC and Tokyo Wafer Technology, and even suspected that he intended to use the acquired data to assist Tokyo Wafer Technology in improving etching equipment, with the goal of passing TSMC's 2-nanometer process certification.

Prosecutors also pointed out that the three involved intended to take TSMC's proprietary technology overseas, elevating the case from mere theft to a national security level.

Officially charged Tokyo Wafer Technology and fined 120 million New Taiwan dollars.

The incident will enter a critical phase at the end of 2025, with the Taiwanese prosecution officially charging Tokyo Wafer Technology's Taiwan subsidiary, believing that its control over employee behavior and protection of trade secrets was insufficient to effectively prevent the involved engineers from stealing technology.

Prosecutors emphasized that no evidence was found that Tokyo Wafer Technology used or benefited from TSMC's secrets, but still sought a fine of 120 million New Taiwan dollars for 'failure to fulfill preventive duties.'

Tokyo Wafer Technology responded by stating that it had dismissed the related employees, was verifying the relevant details, and was fully cooperating with the investigation, reiterating that no data leaks to third parties were found. TSMC also emphasized that it will continue to strengthen internal monitoring and cooperate with regulatory authorities to ensure that competitive advantages are not subject to external interference.

This article discusses the TSMC leak case, where prosecutors have charged Tokyo Wafer Technology seeking a fine of 120 million New Taiwan dollars, first appearing in Chain News ABMedia.