U.S. Consumers File Class Action Against Samsung, SK Hynix Over Price Fixing

U.S. consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron, alleging that the companies inflated memory chip prices.

According to reports from Yonhap News and the U.S. tech outlet WccFTech, 14 American consumers and three small PC assembly and distribution companies have filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California seeking damages from the three companies.

The plaintiffs claim that these companies, which hold approximately 90% of the market share, have exploited their oligopoly by artificially creating supply shortages and reaping unjust profits. They allege that this amounts to price fixing.

The lawsuit also points out that the increase in memory chip prices has led to higher costs for IT products such as MacBooks and iPads, resulting in direct financial harm to consumers.

The plaintiffs referenced the past collusion history of Samsung and SK Hynix, noting that between 1999 and 2002, both companies were fined by the U.S. Department of Justice—$300 million for Samsung and $185 million for SK Hynix—for colluding on DRAM prices in the U.S. market.

At that time, U.S. computer companies filed separate lawsuits for damages, and both companies also paid compensation to overseas consumers.