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FRANKFURT – ZVEI reported that the German electronic components and systems sales would drop by 4% to Euro 16.4 billion ($20.89 billion) for 2008. ZVEI forecasts a further decline of 1% for 2009. Weak semiconductor sales (down 8% for the year)played a big role in this decline because semiconductor sales account for 60% to the electronic component market in Germany. ZVEI market analysts are optimistic of a rebound in the semiconductor market in 2009.

Chip sales last year dropped more than 4% to Euro 10.7 billion ($13.63 billion). This year German semiconductor sales are further expected to decrease by 8% to Euro 9.8 billion ($12.48 billion). The telecommunications segment that dropped 23% in sales in 2007 is expected to suffer another 36% loss in 2008 according to ZVEI.

The domestic printed circuit board market posted a 2.5% increase in sales to Euro 1.5 billion ($1.91 billion), according to the Printed Circuit Board Association (VdL). The industry is expected grow 1.3% overall in 2008.

The falling rate of exchange between the Euro and US dollar is also impacting sales.

HUDSON, MA -- A former Intel employee was charged yesterday with stealing trade secrets valued at more than $1 billion.

Biswamohan Pani is accused of allegedly downloading Intel trade secrets while working simultaneously for Advanced Micro Devices. He has been charged with a total of five counts of theft of trade secrets.

According to the indictment, Pani had taken a job with AMD while still in the employ of Intel, then while on vacation from Intel, allegedly downloaded at least eight documents described by Intel as “confidential,” “secret” or “top secret.”

The information Pani allegedly downloaded was worth $1 billion in research and development costs, according to the federal government.

AMD was unaware of Pani's alleged actions, according to the indictment.

Pani had worked at Intel's Hudson, MA, site before taking the job with AMD in Santa Clara, CA.