Taiwan's UMC To Pay $60 Million Fine To Settle US Trade Secrets Case

Taiwan's second-largest contract chipmaker United Microelectronics Corp has agreed to pay a $60 million fine to settle an industrial espionage lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice, bringing to an end a two-year legal dispute that also involved American memory chip giant Micron Technology and a Beijing-backed Chinese chip manufacturer. From a report: The Justice Department said UMC, the world's No. 4 largest contract chipmaker, pleaded guilty to criminal trade secrets theft. In addition to the fine, UMC has also agreed to cooperate with the American government "in the investigation and prosecution of its co-defendant, a Chinese state-owned-enterprise," the department said in a statement. The Chinese company in question is Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., a homegrown DRAM chip maker once expected to eventually challenge market leaders such as Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. Fujian Jinhua is part of Beijing's ambition of achieving self sufficiency in vital semiconductor components and slashing the country's dependence on foreign suppliers. Back in 2016, UMC said it would develop DRAM chips with Fujian Jinhua but later suspended the partnership after the U.S. indicted both entities on charges of industrial espionage. UMC later significantly scaled down the project, Nikkei earlier reported. Fujian Jinhua was banned from receiving any American tech and support following the U.S. indictment, which came in late 2018.

American Trap

[JBMcB]

Thanks for the book reccomendation. I hadn't heard of Frédéric Pierucci. It's an interesting story I read from the BBC. Basically, this guy is upset that he was indicted for bribing officials in Indonesia. He wouldn't help the US DOJ's investigation of his company, so they threw the book at him. Such injustice! How dare the DOJ go after people bribing foreign officials!

Re: American Trap

[drinkypoo]

I know dick about Indonesia but in many countries bribery is literally the only path to success.

Re:

[WindBourne]

Here is a better short explanation of him. Basically, yes, he was caught being the bag-man for millions of francs all over the world, and the top ppl involved allowed him to take the fall [bbc.com]

Interestingly, France and other EU nations have FINALLY pushed through anti-corruption laws that go after Europeans OR others, including Americans, for being involved in bribery, corruption, etc. And Pierucci's is teaching European businesses how to be ethical, at least with regards to this.

Now, if somebody would teac

Re:

[Cmdln Daco]

1% of Americans are positively freaking out because Trump is doing such a good job.

China is not our friend

[Anon42Answer]

China is not a friend or the west or democracy
State run corporate espionage using state and government resources and cover including State immunity and Diplomatic Immunity/privacy is not acceptable.

fair is fair

[sixsixtysix]

If we can exploit cheap labor, surely they can exploit our IP. Sounds fair.

message () m

[JessicaPriva]

message () me when you're free ==>> v.ht/l4Za