The global DRAM market is once again under legal scrutiny as three industry giants—Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron—face a fresh class-action lawsuit alleging illegal price fixing. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on June 25, the complaint names 17 plaintiffs, including individuals and small businesses, who accuse the companies of orchestrating a supply squeeze to inflate prices. The plaintiffs argue that the trio, which collectively controls around 90% of the global DRAM market, has artificially reduced production of legacy DDR3 and DDR4 modules while pivoting resources toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips—a move they claim was a strategic diversion.
The lawsuit invokes Section 1 of the Sherman Act, alleging that the companies colluded to manipulate the market. It cites a dramatic price surge, with DRAM costs reportedly rising by approximately 700% over four years. The plaintiffs point to recent price hikes in Apple’s iPad and Mac products as evidence of the squeeze’s impact on consumers. They are seeking class certification, an injunction to halt the alleged practices, and treble damages for financial harm. However, this case is not without precedent. A similar class-action lawsuit filed in 2018 by law firm Hagens Berman was dismissed in 2020, with the Ninth Circuit upholding the decision in 2022. The court ruled that the defendants’ behavior was more likely the result of independent market decisions rather than an illegal agreement.
The new complaint attempts to strengthen its case by highlighting the coordinated industry shift toward HBM chips as evidence of collusion. The plaintiffs argue that this pivot served as a cover for reducing production of older DDR modules, further tightening supply and driving up prices. The defendants, however, have publicly denied any wrongdoing, stating that their operations remain independent and that the shift to HBM is driven by market demand for AI accelerators. Senior executives have also warned that the memory chip shortage could persist for years, with SK Group’s chairman predicting no meaningful relief before 2030. Investment bank Jefferies projects DRAM prices to climb an additional 40% to 50% in the third quarter and another 30% to 40% in the fourth, with no significant price relief expected before 2028.
The allegations remain unproven, and the defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit in court. If successful, the plaintiffs’ claims could reshape the dynamics of the DRAM market, which has long been dominated by a handful of major players. The outcome of this case may also set a precedent for future legal challenges involving industry giants accused of market manipulation. As the legal battle unfolds, the broader tech industry will be watching closely to see whether regulatory scrutiny intensifies or if the status quo of limited competition and high prices continues unchecked.
For consumers and businesses alike, the ramifications could be far-reaching, from higher device prices to prolonged supply chain disruptions. The case underscores the fragile balance between innovation, market control, and fair competition in the global tech landscape.
AI summary
Samsung, SK hynix ve Micron, DRAM fiyatlarını yapay olarak yükseltmekle suçlanıyor. ABD’de açılan dava, HBM üretimine odaklanmanın ardındaki gizli anlaşmayı sorguluyor.
