DRAM makers try the same old 'not us' dance as price-fixing case advances

A federal judge has denied a joint motion by Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron to dismiss a class-action lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to restrict the supply of conventional DRAM chips. The case, filed by consumers and small businesses, alleges the three companies—who control over 91% of global DRAM revenue—cut production of standard memory while shifting capacity to more profitable High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) used in AI accelerators, and coordinated their exit from DDR4 production.

If the allegations hold, this scheme could have artificially inflated prices for the memory chips in computers, phones, and servers for years, impacting everyone from individual buyers to small businesses. The judge found the complaint's details—including long-term HBM contracts, plant closures, and suspiciously synchronized customer vetting—plausibly suggest collusion, setting the stage for a lengthy legal battle with answers due in late 2026. It's the tech industry's oldest story: a handful of giants seemingly coordinating to keep prices high while pleading innocence.