United Microelectronics Corporation controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
Taiwan court orders UMC to pay NT$20 million fine in Micron trade-secrets case
Ruling
Taiwan's Intellectual Property and Commercial Court ordered United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) to pay a NT$20 million fine following an appeal in a trade-secret case brought by Micron. The article reports an earlier court finding that UMC and three employees used Micron trade secrets. The ruling was issued in the appeal proceedings of the case.
Company response
Clarification — UMC
After the latest ruling by the IPCC, UMC said that it is pleased with the verdict and thanked the court for a fair ruling.
Source excerpt
Taiwan-based contract chipmaker United Microelectronics Corp (UMC, 聯電) yesterday was ordered to pay NT$20 million (US$719,269) by the Intellectual Property and Commercial Court (IPCC) after appealing a trade secret theft case brought by US-based memory chipmaker Micron Technology Inc.
The Taichung District Court in June 2020 fined UMC NT$100 million because it found the company and three of its employees guilty of using Micron trade secrets to the benefit of the Taiwanese contract chipmaker.
After the latest ruling by the IPCC, UMC said that it is pleased with the verdict and thanked the court for a fair ruling.
2020
UMC guilty plea in U.S. trade-secrets case
UMC pleaded guilty to one count concerning receipt and possession of a stolen trade secret and agreed to pay a US$60 million fine. The agreement dismissed broader original allegations and a related civil case against UMC, while imposing cooperation and probation requirements.
2018
Micron trade-secrets indictment
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted UMC and Fujian Jinhua in a case alleging conspiracy to obtain trade secrets from Micron Technology. The matter later resulted in a separate plea agreement by UMC in 2020.