Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix Face Class-Action Lawsuit in the United States, Accused of Violating Antitrust Law

BlockBeats News, June 29th — Last Friday, the Northern District of California Federal Court received a class-action lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology. The plaintiffs include consumers and small businesses, alleging that the three companies violated antitrust laws by coordinating to restrict traditional DRAM production capacity, artificially creating shortages and driving up prices.

According to data cited in the complaint, this coordinated action led to a cumulative 700% increase in commercial DRAM prices over the past four years, causing widespread impact on global consumer electronics and business IT procurement. Apple's recent widespread price increase for iPad and Mac was cited by the plaintiffs as a typical case of price pass-through: the supply gap manufactured by the three firms upstream has been cascaded through the industry chain and ultimately burdened end consumers.

The legal basis of this lawsuit is not unfounded. Samsung and SK Hynix had previously pleaded guilty in the 2000s to a criminal price-fixing case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, with the two companies collectively paying a $731 million fine, and multiple implicated executives receiving prison sentences. The complaint cites this historical record to present to the court a systemic, repetitive collusion pattern of the three companies, aiming to strengthen the credibility and legal effectiveness of the current allegations. Compared to the first-time accused defendants, this prior record provides the plaintiffs with a more robust reference point, and also subjects the defendants to higher public opinion and legal costs.