台积电2nm泄漏，给工程师的教训

Core Viewpoint - TSMC's recent disclosure of a leak regarding its 2nm technology has shocked the global semiconductor industry, leading to legal actions against three engineers for allegedly leaking trade secrets [2][4]. Group 1: Incident Overview - TSMC has filed a lawsuit against three engineers, who are talented young professionals with master's degrees from top universities in Taiwan, for allegedly leaking commercial secrets that may violate national security laws [2][4]. - The investigation began in late June and initially targeted a few internal engineers, but it was later discovered that confidential data had been transmitted to a former employee of Tokyo Electron (TEL), a key supplier for TSMC [4][5]. Group 2: Engineer Background - The accused engineer, who worked at TSMC for nearly eight years, was involved in improving the yield of 5nm and 3nm processes before joining TEL in 2022 as a senior marketing specialist [4][5]. - This engineer's direct supervisor is also a former TSMC employee with a prestigious academic background, highlighting the interconnectedness of talent within the industry [4]. Group 3: Nature of the Leak - The accused engineer admitted to collecting confidential data to enhance equipment performance but claimed it was for internal use only, denying any further sharing of the data [4][5]. - TSMC's legal action is a response to the discovery that the engineer had taken nearly a thousand photos of the 2nm process, an unprecedented quantity, prompting the company to take strict disciplinary and legal measures [5]. Group 4: Industry Implications - The case underscores the immense pressure within the semiconductor industry, where engineers may resort to stealing sensitive data to demonstrate their value [5].