DRAM Price-Fixing Lawsuit Targets Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron

On June 25, 2026, 17 plaintiffs (14 individuals and three small PC businesses) filed a class-action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Judge Noel Wise). They allege Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology—together holding about 90 % of global DRAM revenue—coordinated cuts to DDR3 and DDR4 output and shifted capacity to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centres. The complaint says this drove DRAM prices up roughly 700 % over four years and seeks injunctive relief and treble damages.

Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron sued over alleged DRAM price fixing amid record memory costs — lawsuit claims coordinated HBM shift was cover to curtail DDR3 and DDR4 productionSamsung and Rivals Sued Over Alleged DRAM Price ConspiracyRAM price-fixing lawsuit hits Samsung, Hynix, Micron

Samsung and SK Hynix pleaded guilty in 2005 to a DOJ price-fixing conspiracy (1999-2002), paying $300 million and $185 million; Micron avoided penalties by cooperating. A 2018 class action on similar conduct was dismissed, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed that dismissal in 2022, citing insufficient proof of an agreement. Plaintiffs argue the current case differs because the alleged coordination focuses on the HBM shift.

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Counterpoint Research reports Q1 2026 DRAM market shares of Samsung 38 %, SK Hynix 29 %, and Micron 22 %. Conventional-DRAM prices have risen about 700 % since 2019. The complaint says roughly 25 % of wafer capacity has been redirected to HBM. Jefferies forecasts another 40-50 % quarterly price rise in Q3 2026 and 30-40 % in Q4 2026, with relief unlikely before 2028.

SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron sued over allegations of "concerted anticompetitive behaviour" in DRAM market

Samsung and SK Hynix said they are aware of the suit and will respond after a legal review. Both assert that capacity shifts to HBM are independent business decisions and that any shortage reflects overall market demand.

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The complaint argues that in a competitive market at least one supplier would have expanded DDR3/DDR4 output as prices rose, but all three firms cut output together, effectively allocating production quotas. Plaintiffs label the HBM shift a “smokescreen” for artificial scarcity, pointing to recent Apple, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo price hikes.

Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron Hit with DRAM Price-Fixing Class Action in U.S. — BigGo Finance

The claims are unproven; defendants have not filed substantive answers. The case depends on undisclosed internal emails and production plans, and prior similar suits were dismissed for lacking concrete agreement evidence.

Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron sued over alleged DRAM price fixing amid record memory costs — lawsuit claims coordinated HBM shift was cover to curtail DDR3 and DDR4 production

• “The D-RAM oligopoly companies systematically coordinated the shift to HBM and the discontinuation of DDR3 and DDR4.” — Complaint

RAM price-fixing lawsuit hits Samsung, Hynix, Micron

• “None of the three used the others’ retreat to expand and win customers. All three pulled back together.” — Complaint

RAM price-fixing lawsuit hits Samsung, Hynix, Micron

• “In a normal competitive market, ‘prices climbing at that rate pull supply toward them.’ … ‘That did not happen.’” — Complaint

RAM price-fixing lawsuit hits Samsung, Hynix, Micron

• “Samsung, far from disciplining the executives who committed the criminal acts, promoted them.” — Plaintiffs’ filing

Samsung, SK hynix, Micron Sued in US Over Memory Price Fixing

If the court certifies the class, discovery will target emails, production plans, and memos that could show coordination. A victory could impose injunctive orders to stop supply cuts and award treble damages, potentially reshaping DRAM allocation for years.

Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron Hit with DRAM Price-Fixing Class Action in U.S. — BigGo Finance