TSMC 2nm Leak Case: Former Employee Sentenced to 10 Years; Company Vows Continued IP Protection

A former TSMC engineer, Chen Li-ming, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for leaking secrets related to the company's 2nm technology. The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court handed down the ruling today based on violations of the National Security Act. TSMC stated that the result ensures its precious trade secrets and technologies are fully protected. Other involved parties, including current engineers and an employee from Tokyo Electron Taiwan, received sentences ranging from 10 months to 6 years. Tokyo Electron itself was fined NT$150 million and ordered to pay NT$100 million to TSMC. TSMC emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward any infringement on company interests and vowed to strengthen its internal monitoring mechanisms to maintain its competitive advantage and operational stability.