Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron Face DRAM Lawsuit Over Price Fixing

Memory costs for consumers and businesses have climbed to unprecedented levels, driven by a severe shortage of DRAM chips that has left buyers paying a premium for basic computing needs. This financial strain stems from a legal battle that began on June 25, 2026, when a class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The case targets the three major manufacturers controlling the global supply, alleging that they coordinated to restrict output and artificially inflate prices during a period of intense demand from the artificial intelligence sector.

Class action alleges memory makers restricted supply to inflate costs

The lawsuit names Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron as defendants in a complaint filed under case number 3:26-cv-06345. Judge Noel Wise has been assigned to oversee the proceedings, which seek compensation for consumers and entities affected by the alleged price-fixing scheme. The plaintiffs argue that the manufacturers created artificial shortages to gouge prices, a claim that mirrors similar antitrust concerns from the past. This legal action marks a significant challenge to the pricing power of the dominant memory vendors.

The core allegation in the complaint is that the three companies artificially restricted DRAM supply to inflate prices. The plaintiffs contend that these manufacturers coordinated their production levels to create a shortage that did not reflect actual market demand. The complaint alleges that the manufacturers restricted supply to drive up prices and increase profits. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for those who purchased memory products during this period of inflated pricing.

The current market context involves high demand from the AI segment, which has outstripped supply and driven memory prices to historical highs. The filing notes a prior 2005 antitrust case involving Samsung and other DRAM manufacturers to provide historical context. The outcome of this case could have long-term implications for how memory pricing is regulated and how manufacturers manage supply chains in response to surging AI demand.