Belgian-Chinese semiconductor researcher arrested over alleged GaN trade-secret theft — prosecutors suspect BelGaN insiders transferred chip IP to China before the company collapsed - Tom's Hardware

A 52-year-old Belgian-Chinese researcher has been arrested for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology from Belgian chipmaker BelGaN. According to Be... Read original →

This arrest of a Belgian-Chinese researcher for stealing GaN IP underscores the fragility of intellectual property safeguards within the semiconductor value chain. As GaN is pivotal for next-gen power electronics, such leaks threaten the supply chain integrity of leading manufacturers like TSMC and Samsung. The collapse of BelGaN highlights European vulnerabilities to Chinese capital infiltration, deepening mistrust between Western and Chinese tech ecosystems. This incident will likely prompt stricter internal audits and enhanced technology transfer controls, especially in ventures with Chinese investment ties. In the short term, companies may accelerate localization strategies and deepen partnerships with non-sensitive regions. Long-term, it will reshape global tech mobility norms, intensifying export controls on core IP and reinforcing a new paradigm of 'technological sovereignty' across supply chains.