AsianFin -- Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., a Beijing-based semiconductor equipment firm, announced on Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit against U.S. chip equipment supplier Applied Materials Inc., alleging trade secret infringement, according to nbd.com.cn.

In a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Beijing E-Town claimed that Applied Materials had illegally obtained and used its core technology related to plasma sources and wafer surface treatment, and had applied for patents in China based on the proprietary information.

The company has filed the case with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, seeking 99.99 million yuan ($13.94 million) in damages. While the lawsuit has been formally submitted, the trial has not yet commenced.

Beijing E-Town emphasized that the legal action is not expected to have a major adverse impact on the company’s operations or affect its normal production. The ultimate outcome will depend on the court’s final judgment.