Nine Times Chinese Companies Tried to Steal Tech Secrets from Samsung

Fifteen years, nine criminal cases, and millions of dollars in losses.

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Nine Times Chinese Companies Tried to Steal Tech Secrets from Samsung

For decades, Samsung has been a prime target for intellectual property theft, particularly by Chinese firms aiming to gain an advantage in semiconductors, displays, and other cutting-edge electronics. These attempts to steal critical technologies have threatened both Samsung’s long term competitiveness and South Korea’s economic stability.

In this post, we’ll explore nine cases where Chinese companies tried to steal Samsung’s most valuable tech secrets—everything from touchscreen panels and OLED displays to advanced semiconductor equipment. These cases should serve as a reminder to all global tech giants about the the threats they face and the broader impact that industrial espionage has on innovation and economic security.

It’s important to note that Chinese companies are not the only ones trying to pilfer Samsung’s trade secrets. However, I’ve highlighted them here because of the close ties between Chinese tech firms and the Chinese government. Given the CCP’s tight control over domestic industries and strategies such as ‘military-civil fusion’, the theft of technology from companies like Samsung have greater geopolitical ramifications when stolen by a Chinese firm than, say, an American one.

Each case is broken down by the year, the technology targeted, and the methods used in these industrial espionage efforts. Stick around to the end for key takeaways that any tech company with valuable IP can apply to safeguard their own innovations.

Let’s take a look.