Luo Weiren, the TSMC technology boss who retired in July this year, switched jobs to his old employer Intel after leaving his post. He was previously suspected of stealing 2nm and other technical secrets. Now TSMC has finally sued. According to TSMC’s statement,The company has formally filed a lawsuit with the Intellectual Property and Commercial Court against former senior deputy general manager Luo Weiren.
This lawsuit is based on the employment contract between TSMC and Luo Weiren, the non-compete agreement signed by Luo Weiren during his tenure, and the Trade Secrets Act.
Luo Weiren has worked at TSMC as deputy general manager since July 2003. He was promoted to senior deputy general manager in February 2014 and officially retired from TSMC on July 27, 2025.
TSMC stated that in March 2024, TSMC will transfer Luo Weiren to the senior vice president of the Corporate Strategy Development Department. This department is a staff unit for consultation by the chairman and president, and its responsibilities no longer require the supervision or management of the R&D department.
However, after being transferred to the corporate strategy development department,Luo Weiren still requires the R&D department to hold meetings and provide information to understand the advanced process technologies that are being developed and planned for the future.
During his tenure, Luo Weiren signed a confidentiality clause and a non-compete clause after leaving the company, promising not to compete after leaving the company.
During the exit interview on July 22, 2025, TSMC's Chief Legal Officer Fang Shuhua specifically provided a reminder letter for him to read in detail. When the Chief Legal Officer explained his non-compete obligations after leaving his job and asked about his future plans, Luo Weiren responded that he would work in an academic institution and did not explain that he would work at Intel Corporation.
However, after leaving his job, Luo Weiren immediately went to Intel Corporation as Executive Vice President (EVP). Luo Weiren is highly likely to use or leak, inform, deliver or transfer TSMC's business secrets and confidential information to Intel. Therefore, TSMC has the need to take legal action (including liquidated damages).
PS: TSMC executives often go to the corporate strategy development department before retiring, and most of them break up peacefully. The last R&D boss to be sued by legal action was Liang Mengsong. TSMC has been litigated for many years. Obviously, a second Liang Mengsong will not be allowed to appear this time.
