March 24, 2004 – TSMC has submitted more evidence in its case against SMIC alleging theft chipmaking technology and other trade secrets.

The opposition papers, filed in US Federal Court, include affidavits from SMIC engineers acknowledging use of TSMC technologies, including coded references to TSMC best practices. Also, one former employee stated that an estimated 90% of SMIC’s 180nm logic process was derived from TSMC, according to Reuters.

In addition, TSMC stated that it has obtained an SMIC chip that is “strikingly similar” to its own, but is unlike chips from Chartered, SMIC’s only reported licensor of 180nm processes.

SMIC has called the developments a “smear campaign” and “bullying tactics,” and promised to officially respond to the suit by April 9.