Key facts
- The USITC terminated the investigation into certain DRAM devices, products containing them and related components.
- Other respondents named in the case included Google, Nvidia, Broadcom and Super Micro Computer.
- Samsung's five-year Netlist agreement covers server dual in-line memory modules and high-bandwidth memory used in AI servers.
- Netlist develops advanced memory and storage technologies, including server memory and HBM solutions for AI computing.
The US International Trade Commission formally terminated a patent infringement investigation involving Samsung Electronics Co. and several major American technology companies, according to a Federal Register notice published Monday, November 2, 2026. The investigation covered certain dynamic random access memory devices, products containing them and related components.
The case was launched in July following a complaint from Netlist Inc., which alleged that certain memory products infringed its patents. Other companies named as respondents included Google, Nvidia Corp., Broadcom Inc. and Super Micro Computer Inc.
Netlist and Samsung, including its two US subsidiaries, jointly requested termination of the investigation on August 18 based on a settlement agreement between the companies. In that settlement, Samsung signed a five-year agreement with Netlist to access the American company's patent portfolio, including technologies related to server dual in-line memory modules and high-bandwidth memory used in artificial intelligence servers and high-performance computing systems.
Netlist develops advanced memory and storage technologies, including server memory and HBM solutions for AI computing. In 2021, Netlist sued Samsung, alleging that the South Korean tech giant's memory products used in cloud computing servers, along with other data technologies, infringed its patents. Samsung had argued that Netlist's patents were invalid and that its technologies operated differently from those covered by the patents.