Cyber Crime: Allegations of stealing trade secrets against Huawei

13 Jul 2019

Categories: Intellectual Property News

July 13,2019:

Cyber Crime cases are increasing with every passing day. People are randomly using social media and internet but how far their data is secure and it is a major concern for all social media users. Stealing data in corporate sectors is not a new game.

Recently, Donald Trump’s Govt. accused Huawei of hacking trade secrets. Huawei has filed applications for the ‘Huawei HongMeng’ mark and ‘HongMeng’ in classes 9 and 42.

In the month of May 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce restrained Huawei from obtaining technology from U.S. firms without having a license. There are two issues that are to be addressed; application of trademark in other countries and stealing trade secrets.

Trade secrets encompass manufacturing or industrial secrets and commercial secrets. The unauthorized use of such information by persons other than the holder is regarded as an unfair practice and an offence.

Depending on the legal system, the protection of trade secrets forms part of the general concept of protection against unfair competition or is based on specific provisions or case law on the protection of confidential information.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Huawei. So far 23 cases are filed. Department of Justice alleged that Huwaei paid an additional payment to its employees to steal trade secrets. In June 2019, Huawei filed several trademark applications in the name of HongMeng Operating System in 11 countries.

Huawei is the second largest mobile producer in the world. The blacklisting issue prompted Google to restrain Huawei from using its Android operating system.

The trademark applications for of Hongmeng Operating System are filed in Europe and Peru, Cambodia, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand. A Chinese daily said that Huwaei had made one million devices with this software. The goods and services covered by the applied-for marks range from computers, robots, car televisions and smartphones for the development of virtual reality and telecommunications technology consultancy.

The ambassadors of Cyber and International Communication of the U.S. Govt. told that Huawei has to undermine network security. Further, it will be declared that they stole personal data of Americans on behalf of China.