DeHeng Successfully Represented HiSilicon in Major Trade Secret Criminal Case Involving Chips

2025-08-29

Recently, the case involving 14 individuals from Shanghai Zunpai Communication Technology Co., Ltd., accused of infringing on the trade secrets of HiSilicon Technologies Co., Ltd., has been adjudicated, in which DeHeng’s Shanghai Office represented the rights holder, HiSilicon Technologies. The Shanghai No. 3 Intermediate People’s Court issued the first-instance judgment on this case on July 28, 2025, and the ruling has now taken effect. The case involves key technologies related to HiSilicon’s self-developed Wi-Fi chips, with the unlawfully acquired technical information valued at approximately RMB 317 million.

The effective judgment adopted the prosecution’s indictment opinions and sentencing recommendations, finding all 14 defendants guilty of infringing on trade secrets. Among them, Zhang was sentenced to six years of imprisonment and fined RMB 3 million. Zhou A, Liu, Zhou B, and Gu were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to three years, with fines ranging from RMB 1.5 million to RMB 1.2 million, respectively. Gao, Wang, and seven others received suspended prison sentences and fines ranging from RMB one million to RMB 200,000.

The successful handling of this case reflects the high importance and professionalism demonstrated by judicial authorities in safeguarding enterprises’ critical core technologies and advancing high-quality national development. It protects HiSilicon’s independent innovations in the field of cutting-edge Wi-Fi chip technology, sets a judicial benchmark for maintaining a fair and orderly market competition environment, and carries profound implications for the industry.