Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix hit with lawsuit over alleged DRAM supply cuts and price hikes

Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are facing a class-action lawsuit in a California federal court alleging they colluded to limit DRAM supply and fix prices. The plaintiffs claim that the companies simultaneously reduced production of conventional RAM to prioritize high-margin High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for the人工智能 (AI) sector, causing traditional DRAM prices to surge by nearly 700% over the last four years.

The lawsuit argues that instead of competing for market share during price spikes, the three dominant manufacturers coordinatedoutput reductions. This shift toward AI-focused memory has significantly increased costs for consumer electronics and businesses. The complaint also notes high barriers to entry in the DRAM market, such as massive capital requirements and complex qualification processes, which prevent new competitors from entering.

Plaintiffs are seeking triple damages, attorney fees, and court orders to halt these alleged anti-competitive practices. While the companies have not yet publicly responded, the lawsuit follows previous investigations into the industry, including a US Department of Justice probe that resulted in fines for Samsung and SK Hynix.

(Source：News9live)