THEFT CHARGE: Chinese chipmaker pleads not guilty to stealing US trade secrets

Chinese chip making company Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co Ltd has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges alleging that it stole trade secrets.

The indictment was originally filed under seal in September by the U.S. district court of the Northern District of California.

The U.S. Justice Department in November announced an indictment against state-owned Fujian Jinhua and Taiwan-based United Microelectronics Corp (UMC), alleging they stole intellectual property from U.S.-based Micron Technology Inc.

Following the indictment, U.S. authorities in October added the Chinese firm to a list of entities that cannot buy components, software or technology goods from U.S. firms.

However, Fujian Jinhua said in a statement posted on its official microblog account that it would work towards getting itself removed from the U.S. export control entity list and had hired lobbyists and legal advisors to help with its case.