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Composition of a Chinese Trade Secrets Theft Enterprise–A Family Affair: UPDATE-3

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the conviction of another individual for stealing trade secrets from pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 2016.

*IP Probe Blog has followed this case since 2018 when the first complaints were announced. Please see “additional reading” below for details of the conspiracy and progression of the prosecution.

BRIEF RECAP OF THE CASE

Six (6) scientists conspired to steal trade secrets from GSK in order to benefit a Chinese company. The Chinese government partially financed the conspiracy.

FAMILY AFFAIR

What makes this case particularly interesting is the familial relationships between the thieves:

Husband and wife working at two separate pharmaceutical companies (one of which was GSK.)

Twin sister scientist-thieves. One worked at GSK and the other coordinated the theft enterprise in China.

CONVICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR BROTHER BASED IN SWITZERLAND

This recent conviction of the brother, who was a scientist at yet another pharmaceutical company in Switzerland, drives home the lengths family IP thieves will go.

And just as his sister had done in the U.S. by creating a company to personally benefit from the stolen trade secrets, the brother created a company in Switzerland to do the same.

STATUS OF PROSECUTIONS

Of the six (6) thieves, four (4) have pled guilty, the fifth went to trial and was convicted (the Switzerland brother) and the sixth fled the U.S. and is believed to be in China.

ADDITIONAL READING

IP Probe Blog Series:

Composition of Chinese Trade Secrets Theft Enterprise: A Family Affair

 Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Update 1Update 2

DisclaimerIPProbe.Global is a service to the professional IP community. While every effort has been made to check information in this blog, we provide no guarantees or warranties, express or implied, regarding the content provided in IPProbe.Global. We disclaim all liability and responsibility for the qualification or accuracy of representations made by the contributors or for any disputes that may arise. It is the responsibility of the readers to independently investigate and verify the credentials of such persons and the accuracy and validity of the information provided by them. This blog is for general information only and not intended to provide legal or other professional advice.

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Ron Alvarez is an IP investigations and protection consultant and writer in New York City. He is a former NYPD lieutenant where he investigated robbery, narcotics, internal affairs, and fine art theft cases. Ron has since coordinated the private investigation of international fraud and money laundering cases, as well as IP-related investigations and research involving the four pillars of IP: copyright, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Ron is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and earned a B.A. in Government and Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. He has written a number of articles for various investigative publications, as well as published "The World of Intellectual Property (IP) Protection and Investigations" in November 2021.

1 comment on “Composition of a Chinese Trade Secrets Theft Enterprise–A Family Affair: UPDATE-3

  1. THOMAS MANLEY

    THANK YOU FOR THIS EDITION
    China is relentless in is pursuit of our finest scientific efforts
    Good Work
    Sincerely
    Thomas Manley FBI -Retired

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