Lawsuit

TSMC is suing a former senior VP, Wei-Jen Lo, alleging he leaked confidential information to Intel after joining them in July. TSMC claims Lo violated his contract and potentially the Trade Secrets Act. Concerns arise over the potential compromise of strategic proprietary data. Taiwan’s High Prosecutors Office is also investigating. TSMC’s stock fell by over 3%, while Intel’s dipped 1.5%. Intel’s CEO denies any misconduct, but the lawsuit highlights the competitive intensity and IP risks within the semiconductor industry.

Figure AI, a humanoid robot developer valued at $3.9 billion, is facing a lawsuit from its former head of product safety. The engineer alleges wrongful termination after warning executives about the potential for their robots to cause serious harm, including fracturing a human skull. He claims his safety concerns were ignored and a safety roadmap presented to investors was altered after funding was secured, potentially constituting fraud. The lawsuit seeks economic, compensatory, and punitive damages. The humanoid robot market is projected to reach $5 trillion by 2050.

Joby Aviation has sued rival Archer Aviation, alleging corporate espionage involving a former Joby employee, George Kivork. Joby claims Kivork stole sensitive files before joining Archer, who then used the information to sway a Joby partner. Archer denies the allegations, calling the lawsuit “baseless.” A hearing is scheduled for March 20, 2026. The lawsuit arrives as both companies pursue FAA certification in the competitive eVTOL industry. The outcome could significantly impact intellectual property rights and development timelines.

Google has filed a lawsuit against a Chinese cybercriminal organization, “Smishing Triad,” alleging they orchestrated a massive SMS phishing campaign using the “Lighthouse” phishing-as-a-service kit. This kit facilitated widespread attacks stealing user data by mimicking recognizable brands. Google invokes RICO, Lanham Act, and CFAA, seeking to dismantle the platform and prevent further harm. The lawsuit details a sophisticated operation with specialized subgroups and millions of compromised credit cards, highlighting Google’s commitment to combating online fraud and supporting legislative measures against cybercrime.

Metsera, Inc. is facing a lawsuit from Pfizer amid Pfizer’s proposed acquisition of Metsera. Metsera stated they disagree with the allegations and will address them in court. The lawsuit introduces complexity to the acquisition process, potentially delaying or derailing the deal. Experts suggest the suit may involve intellectual property, regulatory compliance, or financial disclosures. The outcome depends on the strength of Pfizer’s claims and Metsera’s defense. The filing with the SEC highlights risks including litigation expenses, regulatory hurdles, and the success of pipeline products.

New Jersey’s Attorney General is suing Amazon, alleging widespread discrimination against pregnant employees and workers with disabilities in its New Jersey facilities. The lawsuit claims Amazon denied reasonable accommodations, placed employees on unpaid leave, and retaliated against those seeking accommodations, violating state anti-discrimination laws since 2015. The state seeks damages, fines, and policy changes. Amazon denies the allegations, claiming it approves most accommodation requests. This case highlights growing concerns about Amazon’s labor practices and the balance between efficiency and worker well-being.

A Shanghai court ruled in favor of Haidilao in a lawsuit against two minors, Tang and Wu, and their parents, over an incident where the minors urinated into a hot pot at a restaurant. The court ordered Tang and Wu (through their parents) to issue apologies and mandated the parents to pay RMB 2.2 million (approximately $300,000 USD) for damages, cleaning, operational losses, reputational damage, and legal fees. Haidilao’s claim for RMB 23.26 million was rejected, as the court deemed the 10x compensation to customers a business decision, not a legally claimable damage.

A lawsuit filed by a former executive accuses Alphabet’s Verily of HIPAA violations affecting over 25,000 patients in its Onduo diabetes program. The lawsuit alleges unauthorized use of protected health information for research and marketing, and claims Verily concealed the breaches and terminated employees who raised concerns. A judge denied Verily’s request for dismissal. The lawsuit details alleged breaches involving partners like Walgreens and Delta. Verily denies the allegations and will defend itself. It comes as Verily navigates strategic shifts and funding rounds.

A former Meta security head, Attaullah Baig, is suing the company, alleging WhatsApp has critical security flaws exposing user data. He claims 1,500 engineers had unrestricted data access and that Meta retaliated against him for raising concerns. Baig reported the issues to the SEC and OSHA. Meta denies the allegations, citing Baig’s poor performance and claiming his concerns misrepresent ongoing security efforts. The lawsuit raises questions about WhatsApp’s data security and whistleblower protection.

Two former SpaceX employees are suing the company, alleging safety concerns were ignored in favor of speed and cost, leading to their wrongful termination. One plaintiff, a former supervisor, claims he was fired after raising warnings about a potentially dangerous rocket recovery process. The lawsuit highlights instances of excessive work hours, unreported injuries, and a culture of prioritizing deadlines over safety. OSHA data reveals SpaceX’s Starbase facility has a higher injury rate than the aerospace manufacturing average. Another plaintiff alleges termination after workplace injuries.