A former employee of display equipment maker Invenia has appealed against a guilty verdict handed down by a court in South Korea over alleged technology leaks to competitor Wonik IPS.
The employee started working for Invenia on December, 2013. The company was the first in South Korea to develop dry etcher equipment used in display production.
The employee later moved to Wonik IPS. He allegedly downloaded 37 files from the Invenia’s groupware at a co-worker’s house three months before the move.
The district court of Suwon City last month gave them a ten month sentence, arguing that the employee didn’t destroy the files and the downloading and keeping of the files could considered a breach of duty.
It is yet unclear whether Wonik was invovled in any of the employee's alledged behavior.
Wonik IPS is a major supplier to Samsung Group. It suppliers etching and deposition equipment of Samsung Display. Meanwhile, Invenia is close to LG Group and supplies to LG Display.
People familiar with the matter said Invenia will likely filed a lawsuit against Wonik IPS after the lawsuit with its former employee is complete. The issue could escalate to a conflict between Samsung and LG, they said.
Wonik IPS earned 294 billion won in sales last year from its display business. This is an increase of 153.4% from 2018’s 116 billion won.
