ASML Brion “espionage” case drags on

ASML can’t seem to put the Brion theft case to rest. Following an appearance Tuesday of CEO Peter Wennink on Dutch current affairs TV show Nieuwsuur, media started reporting Samsung was actively involved in the theft. Wennink, in fact, only confirmed that “ASML’s largest Korean customer” had purchased the stolen software, but did not imply any malicious involvement in the theft itself. Samsung Wednesday afternoon issued a statement expressing disappointment about the finger pointing in the media and denying involvement altogether. In a statement published later that day, ASML sided with Samsung. “CEO Peter Wennink stated explicitly on Dutch television (Nieuwsuur) that the initiative of the IP theft in Silicon Valley was the responsibility of a few former ASML employees,” clarifies ASML.