ITRI Removes Wei Jen Lo From Website as TSMC Intel Trade Secret Case Deepens

Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute has removed former TSMC executive Wei Jen Lo from its active fellows directory as authorities continue investigating allegations that he retained confidential semiconductor information before returning to Intel. The action represents another reputational consequence in a legal dispute involving 2 of the world’s most strategically important chip manufacturers.

According to Mirror Media, Lo’s individual profile, biography, and award photographs have been removed from the ITRI website. Taiwan Economy Minister Kung Ming hsin previously confirmed that the institute had been asked to establish a process for revoking Lo’s fellow status. ITRI reportedly suspended that status in April 2026, marking the first time the organization had taken such action against one of its fellows. Older ITRI event reports that feature Lo remain available, meaning the institute has removed his active listing rather than completely erasing every historical reference.

Lo retired from TSMC in July 2025 after working at the company for 21 years and joined Intel as executive vice president in October 2025. Before joining TSMC in 2004, he had already spent 18 years at Intel, where he held technology development and manufacturing responsibilities. During his TSMC career, Lo helped drive mass production for the company’s 5 nm, 3 nm, and 2 nm manufacturing technologies.

The controversy began after reports alleged that Lo may have retained sensitive information related to TSMC’s advanced manufacturing processes before leaving the company. TSMC filed a lawsuit with Taiwan’s Intellectual Property and Commercial Court in November 2025, citing Lo’s employment contract, confidentiality obligations, noncompetition agreement, and Taiwan’s Trade Secrets Act. The company argued that his position at Intel created a significant risk that confidential information could be used, disclosed, or transferred.

Taiwan’s High Prosecutors Office Intellectual Property Branch also opened an investigation into whether the matter could involve violations of the National Security Act. Investigators searched Lo’s residences in Taipei and Hsinchu, recovering computers, USB storage devices, and other potential evidence. A court also approved the seizure of shares and real estate registered under his name to preserve assets while the investigation proceeds.

The available reports describe an active investigation and civil dispute rather than a final court judgment establishing wrongdoing. Intel has rejected TSMC’s allegations and continues to support Lo, arguing that employee movement between semiconductor companies is normal and that the company prohibits the use of confidential information belonging to competitors.

"Based on everything we know today, we see no merit to the allegations involving Wei Jen, and he continues to have our full support. As part of this transformation, Intel has welcomed back Wei Jen Lo, who previously spent 18 years at Intel working on the development of Intel’s wafer processing technology before joining TSMC, where he continued his work in their wafer processing technology development.
Intel maintains rigorous policies and controls that strictly prohibit the use or transfer of any third party confidential information or intellectual property."
— Lip Bu Tan

The dispute arrives at a critical moment for Intel, which is attempting to restore manufacturing leadership through Intel 18A and rebuild confidence in its foundry operations. Lip Bu Tan has focused on bringing experienced engineers back to the company, improving process yields, and placing technical development closer to executive leadership. Lo’s experience with TSMC’s most advanced manufacturing programs makes him a potentially valuable part of that strategy, but it also increases the commercial and political sensitivity surrounding his appointment.

The removal of Wei Jen Lo from ITRI’s active fellows directory does not determine the outcome of the investigation, but it shows how seriously Taiwan treats the protection of semiconductor knowledge. Advanced process information is no longer viewed only as private corporate intellectual property. It is increasingly treated as a strategic national asset connected to economic security, geopolitical influence, and control over future artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The case will ultimately depend on evidence showing whether confidential material was retained, transferred, or used, not simply on Lo’s decision to return to a former employer. However, the dispute could establish an important precedent for how Taiwan manages senior semiconductor executives who move between global competitors while possessing extensive knowledge of protected manufacturing technologies.

Should senior semiconductor executives face stronger restrictions when moving directly between companies developing competing advanced manufacturing processes?