TSMC reportedly made good on a pledge to take legal action against a former executive suspected of making off with reams of trade secrets when he took a job at rival chip company Intel.

The company filed a lawsuit against former SVP of corporate strategy development Lo Wei-jen with the Taiwanese Intellectual Property and Commercial Court, Reuters and others reported.

Prosecutors in the nation began investigating Lo last week, a probe TSMC indicated would guide its legal action.

Reuters reported TSMC’s lawsuit focuses on its employment contract with Lo, which included a non-compete clause.

The company also invoked trade secrets legislation, stating the chances of Lo having disclosed details to Intel are high.

Bloomberg reported last week Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan played down the reports of Lo’s actions and emphasised the US company’s adherence to IP regulations.

The news outlet noted Taiwanese government ministers expressed concern about Lo’s alleged actions, which they believe could constitute a national security matter.