Core Viewpoint - Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has agreed to plead guilty and pay over $140 million to resolve criminal charges related to violations of export controls, specifically for illegally selling EDA hardware, software, and IP to a Chinese military university listed on the U.S. Entity List [1][2]. Group 1: Case Background and Violations Overview - The case involves Cadence, its Chinese subsidiary Cadence Design Systems Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., the Chinese military university NUDT, and a related Chinese chip company [2]. - Cadence committed 61 violations, primarily through its subsidiary Cadence China, which engaged in 56 illegal sales or loans to CSCC, a known alias for NUDT, totaling approximately $45.3 million from September 2015 to September 2020 [3][4]. Group 2: Details of Violations - The core violation involved unauthorized exports to NUDT via CSCC, with a total value of about $45.3 million, including $31.88 million in EDA hardware, $2.62 million in EDA software, and $10.79 million in semiconductor IP [5][6]. - The violations occurred over five years, with the first recorded illegal export shortly after NUDT was placed on the Entity List [6]. - All export activities were initiated by Cadence China, with evidence indicating that the actual use and support occurred at NUDT's campus in Changsha, Hunan Province, China [6][7]. Group 3: Systemic Violations and Other Entities - Cadence was also found to have allowed three other companies on the Entity List to download EDA software due to systemic gaps in its compliance processes [10]. - These violations included unauthorized downloads by JSC Mikron, a Chinese telecommunications giant, and a top Chinese chip manufacturer during various periods from 2016 to 2021 [10]. Group 4: Penalty Decisions - Cadence faces a civil penalty of up to $95.31 million, with an initial payment of $47.66 million due within 30 days of the order, and the remaining amount contingent on fulfilling obligations under the criminal plea agreement [12][14]. - The order mandates comprehensive internal audits of Cadence's export control compliance program, including oversight of its operations in China, with strict timelines for reporting [13][14]. - Future export licenses and privileges for Cadence will be contingent upon compliance with the settlement agreement and timely payment of penalties [14].

Core Viewpoint - Cadence Design Systems has agreed to plead guilty and pay over $140 million to resolve charges related to unlawful export of sensitive semiconductor design technology to a restricted university in China [2][3]. Group 1: Criminal Charges and Penalties - Cadence has been charged with conspiracy to violate export control laws and has agreed to pay nearly $118 million in criminal fines as part of a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice [2]. - In addition to the criminal charges, Cadence has reached a civil settlement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, agreeing to pay over $95 million in civil fines [3]. - The total amount Cadence will pay, after coordination between the Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce, exceeds $140 million in criminal and civil penalties [3]. Group 2: Compliance and Responsibility - Cadence has acknowledged its responsibility for illegally exporting sensitive semiconductor design tools to a restricted university in China and has implemented a robust export compliance program to prevent further illegal dissemination of U.S. technology [3]. - The U.S. authorities emphasized the importance of protecting advanced technology knowledge to safeguard national security, particularly in Silicon Valley, which is a hub for breakthrough innovations [3].