EX-TOKYO ELECTRON ENGINEER GETS 10 YEARS FOR TSMC THEFT

Chen Li-ming was convicted of misappropriating confidential information belonging to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), one of the world's largest chipmakers. The case marks a significant enforcement action against industrial espionage in Taiwan's semiconductor sector. Tokyo Electron, a Japanese equipment supplier, works closely with TSMC and other chip manufacturers. Chen's position at the company provided access to sensitive data that he allegedly transferred to unauthorized parties. The 10-year sentence reflects Taiwan's strict stance on protecting intellectual property in its critical semiconductor industry. The nation's IP court system has increasingly targeted cases involving theft of trade secrets and proprietary manufacturing information. TSMC produces advanced chips for major global tech companies and is considered strategically vital to Taiwan's economy. Protection of its intellectual property is treated as a matter of national importance, with courts imposing substantial penalties for theft convictions. The sentencing underscores growing concerns about industrial espionage targeting the semiconductor industry, particularly as competition intensifies between regional manufacturers. Taiwan has strengthened enforcement mechanisms to deter the unauthorized transfer of chip manufacturing data and technical specifications. Chen's case joins a broader pattern of IP-related prosecutions in Taiwan's tech sector, where companies invest heavily in R&D and guard manufacturing processes closely. The severity of the sentence is intended to serve as a deterrent to other potential offenders with access to proprietary information. Details regarding the specific data stolen and parties involved in receiving the information remain limited in public disclosures, consistent with Taiwan's court procedures for sensitive industrial cases.