Case library · Stolen Secrets
Stolen Turbine Software
United States v. Sinovel Wind Group Co. (2018)
Charge: Conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft of trade secrets, and wire fraudCourt: U.S. District Court, W.D. Wis.State: WisconsinDocket: Stolen Secrets
The facts
A large wind-turbine manufacturer relied on a supplier for the software that regulates how electricity from its turbines flows into the power grid. Prosecutors said the manufacturer recruited one of the supplier's employees, who secretly downloaded the source code from the supplier's computers and handed it over. The manufacturer then used the copied software to run turbines without paying for it. The defendant here was the company itself, not a person. The law requires proof the code was kept secret and was taken improperly.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: United States v. Sinovel Wind Group Co., No. 3:13-cr-00084 (W.D. Wis. 2018)
Read more at justice.gov. The source reveals the outcome.