Archive · 13 Aug 2025
Applied Materials Sued in China for Alleged Trade Secret Theft
Imagine a company, E-Town, that makes important machines for making computer chips.
They say that a big American company, Applied Materials, stole their secret ideas.
E-Town is suing Applied Materials in China.
They claim Applied Materials hired some people who knew their secrets and used them to make their own products.
E-Town wants Applied Materials to stop using their ideas and pay them money because they believe their secrets were used without permission.
This is part of a larger competition between the US and China in the technology world.
Applied Materials, a US chip-gear maker, is sued in China for alleged trade secret theft.
Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co. filed the lawsuit in Beijing.
E-Town claims Applied Materials illegally obtained and used its core technologies.
The lawsuit alleges Applied Materials hired former E-Town employees privy to the technologies.
E-Town seeks to stop the use of its trade secrets and approximately 100 million yuan in damages.
- Who
- Beijing E-Town Semiconductor sued Applied Materials.
- What
- Beijing E-Town Semiconductor sued Applied Materials for trade secret theft.
- When
- The lawsuit was filed recently.
- Where
- The lawsuit was filed in the Beijing Intellectual Property Court.
- Why
- E-Town alleges Applied Materials illegally obtained and used their trade secrets.
Beijing E-Town Semiconductor
Applied Materials (Unstated)
Theft of intellectual property
Beijing E-Town Semiconductor
Applied Materials stole trade secrets.
Applied Materials (Unstated)
Applied Materials has not commented and has not admitted to stealing any trade secrets.
- Plaintiff
- Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co.
- Defendant
- Applied Materials Inc.
- Location of Lawsuit
- Beijing Intellectual Property Court
- Allegation
- Trade secret theft
- Damages Sought
- Approximately 100 million yuan
- Technology Involved
- Plasma source application in wafer surface treatment