The representative of the company that received the technology also went to jail
Two researchers from Samsung Display, who donated organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology to a third-party company, were sentenced to two years in South Korean prison. They were charged with violating the law on the protection of commercial secrets of the enterprise.
Two Samsung Display employees jailed for leaking OLED technology
Representatives of the company that received the technology were also punished. The director received one year, and his accomplices received two years probation. Also, a large fine was imposed on the company.
The leak took place between November 2019 and May 2020. It concerned the technical requirements for the manufacturing process of an adhesive optical material used in the manufacture of displays. The material is inkjet applied and allows the connection of the display panel and coverslip. Samsung Display was the first company to develop this technology, having invested about $ 9 million in related developments over three years.
The two Samsung Display employees in question acquired a stake in a third-party company, partnered with it, and merged the technology. The investigation revealed that they were trying to transfer technology to China, but an investigation that began prevented them from doing so.
