The investigation
The Commission instituted Certain Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) Devices, Products Containing the Same, and Components Thereof (II), Inv. No. 337-TA-1511, on July 20, 2026 (91 FR 45286-87) on a complaint by Netlist, Inc. of Irvine, California. The complaint, as supplemented, alleged infringement of claims 1-8, 10, 11, 14-17, 19, and 20 of U.S. Patent 12,646,537 and claims 1-7 and 18-20 of U.S. Patent 12,650,937. The notice of investigation named Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. (together, Samsung), Google LLC, Super Micro Computer, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Broadcom Inc. The Office of Unfair Import Investigations is also a party.
How it ended
On August 18, 2026, Netlist and Samsung moved to terminate the investigation as to all respondents based on a settlement agreement and to limit service of the confidential version of the agreement. On September 28, 2026, the administrative law judge granted the motion in an initial determination, Order No. 7, finding that it complies with Commission Rule 210.21(b)(1), 19 CFR 210.21(b)(1), and that the settlement does not adversely affect the public interest under Commission Rule 210.50(b)(2), 19 CFR 210.50(b)(2). The order also limited service of the agreement. No petitions for review were filed. The Commission determined not to review the initial determination, and the investigation is terminated in its entirety.
What to watch next
Netlist's other DRAM matters at the Commission are separate: Certain Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) Devices, Products Containing the Same, and Components Thereof (III), Inv. No. 337-TA-1523, instituted September 25, 2026 (91 FR 60980), and the complaint docketed as DN 3939, Certain Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) Devices, Products Containing the Same, and Components Thereof (IV), whose receipt notice was published October 1, 2026 (91 FR 62558). Watch those dockets for further Commission action.