TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Intellectual Property Court will deliver a verdict on April 27 in a case involving alleged leaks of TSMC’s 2 nm trade secrets, CNA reported Thursday.

Former TSMC engineer Chen Li-ming (陳力銘) and current engineers Wu Ping-chun (吳秉駿) and Ko I-ping (戈一平) have been indicted for allegedly disclosing key technologies. Prosecutors charged them under the National Security Act and Trade Secrets Act.

Prosecutors said Chen previously worked in the yield department at TSMC’s Fab 12. After leaving, he joined semiconductor equipment supplier Tokyo Electron in a marketing role.

Between the second half of 2023 and the first half of last year, Chen allegedly asked Wu and Ko to provide sensitive technical information. Prosecutors said the materials were photographed and reproduced.

The information was allegedly used to help Tokyo Electron improve its etching equipment. The goal was to secure qualification as a supplier for TSMC’s 2 nm process.

TSMC launched an internal probe after detecting irregularities. The company filed a complaint on July 8 last year, prompting prosecutors to open an investigation.

Authorities carried out searches and questioning from July 25-28. The three suspects were later detained incommunicado with court approval.

Prosecutors formally charged the trio on Aug. 27 for stealing trade secrets for overseas use and violating national security laws. They are seeking prison terms of 14 years for Chen, nine years for Wu, and seven years for Ko.