Major global memory chip manufacturers are facing a new class action lawsuit in the United States. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, names Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SK Hynix Inc., and Micron Technology, Inc. as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that the three companies conspired to artificially inflate the price of DRAM memory chips. According to the claims, the manufacturers began coordinating to restrict supply and manipulate prices starting in 2022. This alleged collusion is said to have contributed to a price increase of approximately 700% for DRAM chips over a four-year period.
Reports indicate that DRAM prices have been rising as demand continues to outpace supply. The market is also experiencing new pressure from growing demand in areas like artificial intelligence, further straining available inventory. Some industry insiders argue that the current shortage is not solely due to any alleged collusion but is also linked to demand growing faster than supply can keep up with.
The scale of the current lawsuit is described as relatively limited. However, if the court certifies the case as a class action, its scope and potential impact could expand significantly, potentially affecting a wider range of purchasers of the memory chips.
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