TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TSMC said Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit against former Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy Development Lo Wei-jen (羅唯仁) on suspicion of leaking trade secrets to Intel.

TSMC said it filed the case with Taiwan’s Intellectual Property and Commercial Court, citing Lo’s employment contract, non-compete agreement, and potential violations of the Trade Secrets Act, per CNA. The company said legal action is necessary to safeguard confidential information.

According to TSMC, Lo joined the company in 2004 and was promoted to senior vice president in 2014 before retiring on July 27 this year, per Liberty Times. He was reassigned in March to Corporate Strategy Development, a position advising top leadership that does not oversee R&D operations.

TSMC said that after the transfer, Lo continued requesting meetings with R&D teams and sought information on advanced process technologies despite no longer holding a supervisory role.

The company said Lo had signed strict confidentiality clauses and a post-employment non-compete agreement barring him from joining competitors.

TSMC said Lo told the company he planned to join an academic institution and did not disclose any intention to work for Intel. Shortly after his departure, the firm learned he had joined Intel as an executive vice president.

TSMC argues there is a high likelihood Lo could use, disclose, or transfer trade secrets and other confidential information to Intel. The company said the potential risk requires legal action, including the pursuit of damages.