TSMC Discovers Trade Secret Leak, Launches Legal Action Over Unauthorized Employee Activity

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has launched legal action after uncovering potential trade secret leaks, according to CNBC. The world’s largest contract chipmaker said it took swift disciplinary measures and emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for violations that threaten its intellectual property. Several former TSMC employees are suspected of trying to steal proprietary 2-nanometer chip development data while still employed, according to Nikkei Asia. TSMC did not confirm the report but acknowledged the case is under judicial review and declined to provide further details. The company reportedly safeguards over 200,000 trade secrets and previously faced similar cases, including a 2018 indictment involving its 28-nanometer process.