A former Samsung engineer was sentenced to 6 years for selling secret OLED technologies to Chinese companies. The court found him guilty of violating the Trade Secrets Act and emphasized the need for strict punishment for stealing the country's advanced technology.
Industrial espionage
Crime and Punishment
A former Samsung employee was found guilty of violating laws on protecting trade secrets and preventing unfair competition. The investigation found that between 2018 and 2020, he transferred Samsung technological secrets to Chinese firms.
The accused was initially released on bail due to the expiration of his arrest in March. However, he was later re-arrested and sentenced last Thursday. Judge Ha Sang Jae stressed the need for strict punishment for those who try to steal the country's advanced technology. As a result, the former engineer received a six-year prison sentence.
Reasons for the verdict
The court noted: “The defendant abused technology in the development of which the company invested significant time and money, which deserves conviction. Severe punishment is necessary to protect the country's advanced technologies. Sufficient arguments were not presented to reduce the sentence of the accused."
Crime details
Last October, a former Samsung employee was charged with misappropriating optical systems for ELA (excimer laser annealing) technology. This technology is used in the production of Samsung OLED panels and other solutions. After being fired, the former engineer founded a display company with bases in South Korea and China, intending to smuggle OLED technology out of his former company and sell it to competitors. The cost of these technologies is estimated at approximately $25 million.
Accomplices
In addition to the main accused, five people who conspired with him were charged in August 2020. Three of them, who worked for Samsung, received prison sentences ranging from 2 to 3 years, while the other two were given suspended sentences.
Glossary
- Samsung is a South Korean multinational company, one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world
- OLED - organic light-emitting diode, a technology used in the production of displays
- ELA (excimer laser annealing) - laser annealing technology used in the production of OLED panels
- Ha Sang Jae - the judge who sentenced the case of the former Samsung engineer
- South Korea - state in East Asia, home of Samsung
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Answers to questions
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Discussion of the topic – Espionage at Samsung: 6 years in prison for leaking OLED technology to China
A former Samsung engineer has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for selling classified OLED technology to Chinese companies from 2018 to 2020, violating trade secret protection laws.
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Gabriella
Wow! 6 years in prison for stealing Samsung technology. Tough but fair. I wonder how often this happens in large companies? 🤔
Hans
I think this happens more often than we think. It's just that not all cases become public knowledge. Technology is the new gold, and many are willing to take risks for the sake of such jackpot. $25 million is no joke! 💰
Margot
I agree with Hans. But it surprises me how easily he was able to extract such important data. Doesn't Samsung have strict security protocols? 🔒
Antonio
Even the best security system will not protect against the human factor. This engineer likely had high level access. I wonder how Chinese companies reacted to this matter? 🇨🇳
Viktor
All these newfangled technologies are nonsense. Previously, people lived without any OLEDs and got along just fine. And now because of some panel there is such a fuss. Funny and stupid.
Gabriella
Viktor, technology drives progress! Without them, we would still be sitting in caves. And as for Chinese companies, Antonio, I think they are now very cautious. Nobody wants to come under suspicion of industrial espionage. 🕵️♀️
Hans
I wonder how this will affect collaboration between Korean and Chinese tech companies in the future? Maybe Samsung will now be more careful in its partnerships? 🤝
Margot
I think this case could set a precedent for the entire industry. Companies will likely strengthen security measures and employee screening. Or maybe they will even begin to introduce some new rules for working with classified data. It will be interesting to watch the situation develop! 👀