Prosecutors Request Arrest Warrant for Former Vice President in Samsung Electronics Patent Leak Case

Allegations of Violation of the Act on the Prevention of Unfair Competition and Protection of Trade Secrets

The prosecution has reissued an arrest warrant for a former Samsung Electronics vice president accused of leaking confidential information, following a previous request in January.

On the 27th, the Information Technology Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Chun) filed an arrest warrant against former Samsung Electronics vice president (IP Center Head) An Mo on charges of violating the Act on the Prevention of Unfair Competition and Protection of Trade Secrets (including trade secret leakage).

An is accused of establishing a patent management company after resigning and conspiring with internal Samsung Electronics employees to leak confidential materials, which were then used in lawsuits involving 'Synergy IP,' a company he represents.

Synergy IP filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung Electronics in the United States concerning wireless earphones and voice recognition. On the 23rd, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, which handled the case, ruled that the lawsuit involving An and others was filed through serious illegal acts and unfair methods, dismissing the patent infringement claims.

The prosecution also refiled an arrest warrant on charges including breach of trust against former Samsung Display patent application group leader Lee Mo, who is accused of receiving approximately 600 million KRW over several years from Korean, U.S., and Chinese patent firms as compensation for selecting in-house patent application agents for Samsung Display.