industrial espionage


noun

the stealing of technological or commercial research data, blueprints, plans, etc., as by a person in the hire of a competing company.

Origin of industrial espionage

First recorded in 1960–65

British Dictionary definitions for industrial espionage

industrial espionage

noun

attempting to obtain trade secrets by dishonest means, as by telephone- or computer-tapping, infiltration of a competitor's workforce, etc