A former Intel engineer has been charged with stealing Intel
trade secrets after starting work for rival AMD.
The FBI has alleged that Biswahoman Pani copied confidential
documents containing chip design plans for future Intel
processors.
The FBI said that 100 pages of sensitive Intel documents and 19
CAD drawings had been found in a search of Pani's house on 1
July.
Pani had handed in his resignation at Intel, saying he was
interested in taking a job with a hedge fund and would be on
vacation until his 11 June leaving date.
But the FBI said Pani had been discussing a possible job at AMD
for several months. He began working for AMD on 2 June, nine days
before his employment at Intel officially ended.
Pani still had access to his Intel laptop and the company's
computer network. The FBI said Pani used this access to collect
sensitive documents that might have provided competitive
intelligence for his new employer.
The FBI was called in after an Intel employee learned about
Pani's new job with AMD, and ordered a check of the computer system
to see if Pani had accessed confidential documents.
Pani had been hired to work at the AMD chip design centre, but
is now no longer employed by the company. He is contesting the FBI
charges.
There is no evidence that AMD benefited from the documents Pani
is alleged to have illegally obtained.
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