Bloomberg News reported that a former GM engineer and her husband were convicted of stealing trade secrets on hybrid-car technology from the automaker to help develop similar vehicles in China.
According to Bloomberg, ex-employee Shanshan Du allegedly copied GM’s private information on the motor control of hybrids and provided documents to her husband, Yu Qin. Qin allegedly used the data to seek business ventures or employment with the Detroit-based corporation’s competitors, including the Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co. Prosecutors said General Motors contended that the secrets are worth more than $40 million.
Qin was convicted of all seven counts, but his wife was convicted on three trade secret counts, including conspiracy to possess trade secrets without authorization. Du was acquitted on wire fraud charges. Bloomberg reported that sentencing will be in February. The defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years on each of the trade secrets counts, although Qin faces additional prison time on the wire fraud and obstruction convictions. The trade secret counts carry a $250,000 fine, and the wire fraud and obstruction of justice counts carry fines of $250,000, according to Bloomberg.
Los Angeles business litigation attorney Robert G. Klein has more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and businesses with trade secret protection, and we have additional information unfair competition on our website. If you believe a former employee or partner has leaked or exploited your company’s confidential information, contact our firm today at [number] or use the form on this page to let our Los Angeles trade secret attorneys review your case.
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