Samsung Electronics has identified a significant leak of its semiconductor etching process recipes to the South Korean subsidiary of Lam Research. The incident involves the unauthorized transfer of proprietary technical data, which includes critical production parameters such as temperature, pressure, gas flow, and processing time.
Lam Research, a supplier of etching and deposition equipment to Samsung, was permitted to access specific data for equipment maintenance and performance optimization under a formal agreement. However, investigations revealed that the company's Korean branch obtained unauthorized process recipes through non-compliant data requests.
Samsung Electronics discovered the unauthorized transfers during the second half of this year. The company has classified the incident as a major technology leak. Neither Samsung nor the Korean subsidiary of Lam Research has provided an official comment regarding the situation.
Industry observers suggest a link between this data leak and the recent leadership change at Lam Research Korea. On November 6, the company appointed Kim Tae-won as its new CEO, replacing Park Jun-hong, who had served in the role for approximately two years and nine months since January 2024.
