TSMC Ex-VP's Home Raided As Chip Giant Alleges Intel Recruit Leaked Trade Secrets

<p>On Thursday, Taiwan prosecutors searched the homes of a former <strong>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSM" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="TSM" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSM">TSM</a>)</a> vice president after the chipmaker accused him of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options/25/11/49073379/tsmc-tsm-stock-trade-secret-dispute-intel-contrarian-bull-spread">passing confidential information</a> to <strong>Intel Corp</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTC" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="INTC" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTC">INTC</a>)</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Homes Searched, Devices Seized In Trade Secrets Probe</strong></h2>



<p>The Taiwan prosecutors&#8217; intellectual property branch raided two residences linked to <strong>Wei-Jen Lo</strong>, a former TSMC executive who joined Intel in October, reported Reuters.</p>



<p>Prosecutors said they also seized computers, USB drives and other storage devices as potential evidence.</p>



<p>Authorities said Lo is suspected of violating Taiwan's National Security Act, which protects strategically important technologies.</p>



<p>A court also approved a request to freeze his shares and real estate holdings as the probe continues, the report said.</p>



<p><strong>See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/11/49102747/trump-pressures-taiwan-to-train-us-workers-as-tsmc-struggles-in-arizona-report">Trump Pressures Taiwan To Train US Workers As TSMC Struggles In Arizona: Report</a></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TSMC Flags ‘High Probability' Of Leaked Advanced Chip Technology</strong></h2>



<p>TSMC said earlier this week it filed a lawsuit after determining there <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/11/49102999/intel-stands-by-hiring-former-tsmc-executive-accused-of-leaking-trade-secrets">was a "high probability" Lo used</a> or disclosed its trade secrets, including sensitive details tied to its 5-nanometer, 3-nm and 2-nm manufacturing processes.</p>



<p>The company said legal action became necessary because of the potential transfer of "confidential information" to Intel.</p>



<p>Lo spent 21 years at TSMC, where he played a key role in the mass production of its most advanced nodes. Before joining the company in 2004, he spent 18 years at Intel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Intel Strongly Denies Allegations, Defends Executive</strong></h2>



<p>Intel rejected TSMC's claims, saying it has "no reason to believe" the accusations have merit based on its internal review.</p>



<p>The company also stressed that employee movement between chipmakers is a "common and healthy" industry practice.</p>



<p>Intel and TSMC did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.</p>



<p>The probe unfolds as Intel CEO <strong>Lip-Bu Tan</strong> steers the company's turnaround by sharpening its engineering priorities, accelerating AI development and rebuilding its foundry operations to catch up with TSMC, which still leads advanced chip production for<strong> Nvidia Corp. </strong><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="NVDA" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVDA">NVDA</a>)</a> and <strong>Apple Inc.</strong> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="AAPL" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL">AAPL</a>)</a>.</p>



<p><strong>Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings</strong> show that while TSMC's short-term trend has turned negative, the company continues to post a strong price trend over the medium and long term. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here to see how it compares with industry peers</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/27224028/Screenshot-2025-11-28-at-9.07.48%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1187308"/></figure>



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<p><em>Photo Courtesy: Jack Hong via Shutterstock</em></p>



<p><strong><em>Disclaimer</em>:</strong><em>&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.</em></p>