Technology
Person accused of stealing high-tech trade secrets from China
(AP) An economic hacker national has been sentenced by a federal prosecutor, who has stolen corporate secrets and conspired in favor of his country's government.
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila discovered Hao Zhang, 41, guilty Friday following a four-day jury on the three counts.
Five years after his graduation from Southern California University, Zhang was charged with conspiring to steal technology from two businesses. Zhang's former employer, Skywerks Solutions in Woburn, Massachusetts, and Avago Technologies, a company subsequently purchased by chip maker Broadcom, have chosen to secrecy the trading secrets.
The pilfered technology helps to filter harmful signals to smartphones.
The conviction is an attempt to address China's supposed patented theft in America, a problem which in recent years has underpinned the costly trade war between the two countries. The government of China has consistently refused to participate in any effort to steal US technology.
The verdict is an important step in holding an individual responsible who has stolen his U.S. employer from business secrets and attempted to replicate technology of the company and to replace their share in the market, said John Demers, Assistant Procurator General of the Justice Department for National Security.
Daniel Olmos, Zhang's counsel, denied the verdict to comment. For each of the three felony convictions, Zhang faces a maximum jail term of 10-15 years and fines of up to $250,000.
The award shall be granted on 31 August.
Photo: Bloomberg | Source: Associated press
