TSMC Leak Case: Two Former Engineers Sentenced to 10 and 6 Years

Four former engineers of TSMC have been sentenced for stealing and leaking confidential data related to 2-nanometer technology. The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court in Taiwan sentenced Chen Li-Ming to 10 years, Wu Ping-Chun to 3 years, Ko Yi-Ping to 2 years, and Chen Wei-Chieh to 6 years in prison. Chen Li-Ming and Chen Wei-Chieh appealed the decision, but the Supreme Court of Taiwan rejected their appeal on the 30th, and both will serve their sentences immediately. Wu Ping-Chun and Ko Yi-Ping did not appeal after the first-instance ruling, and the prosecution also did not appeal, so their sentences are confirmed. Chen Li-Ming previously worked as a yield engineer at TSMC's Fab 12 and, after leaving, joined a semiconductor manufacturing equipment supplier for TSMC. He repeatedly requested colleagues to take photos of confidential documents in order to secure advanced process equipment supply from TSMC. The four engineers accessed confidential files using a work laptop to allow Chen Li-Ming to take photos or transfer the information.