In brief
The USITC closed a probe into alleged patent infringement involving Samsung and several major American tech companies after a settlement between Samsung and Netlist. Samsung will have five‑year access to Netlist’s portfolio covering server memory technologies used in AI and high‑performance computing. The case began in July on a complaint that Netlist claimed Samsung’s products infringed its patents.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) formally dropped a patent infringement investigation that had implicated Samsung Electronics Co. and several prominent U.S. technology firms on Monday, after the South Korean chipmaker and U.S. chip firm Netlist Inc. reached a settlement. The notice, published in the U.S. Federal Register on November 2, 2026, explained that the investigation was terminated at the request of Netlist and Samsung following a settlement agreement signed on August 18.
Settlement Terms
The settlement gives Samsung access for five years to Netlist’s patent portfolio, which includes technologies related to server dual in‑line memory modules (DIMMs) and high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) that are used in artificial‑intelligence servers and high‑performance computing systems. Netlist, known for advanced memory and storage technologies, has developed server memory and HBM solutions specifically tailored for AI computing.
Investigation Background
The probe was launched in July after Netlist filed a complaint alleging that certain dynamic random‑access memory (DRAM) devices, the products that contain them and related components infringed its patents. The United States' patent commission noted that other respondents named in the case were Google, Nvidia Corp., Broadcom Inc. and Super Micro Computer Inc., in addition to Samsung.
In its 2021 lawsuit, Netlist claimed that Samsung’s memory products used in cloud‑computing servers infringed its patents. Samsung counter‑ed by arguing that the patents were invalid and that its technologies operated differently from those covered by Netlist’s claims.
According to the notice, Netlist and Samsung’s two U.S. subsidiaries jointly requested the termination of the investigation after they entered into the settlement agreement. The USITC’s action closed the pending inquiry, and no further enforcement action by the commission is expected.
While the settlement resolves the current investigation, it is unclear how Samsung’s access to Netlist’s patents will affect future competition within the memory chip market or whether Netlist’s patents will face additional challenges from other parties.
