Netlist sues Samsung, Google, Super Micro over AI memory patents at ITC
In brief
- Netlist filed ITC complaint against Samsung, Google, and Super Micro on September 30, 2025 for patent infringement
- Six patents covering DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory technologies form the basis of the complaint
- Netlist seeks exclusion orders to block imports of Samsung DRAM, Google Tensor chips, and Super Micro servers
- Prior jury verdicts awarded Netlist $303.15 million (2023) and $118 million (2024) against Samsung
The complaint and remedies sought
Netlist requested that US Customs and Border Protection block imports of Samsung's DRAM modules, Google's Tensor Processing Units, and Super Micro's servers. The company alleges infringement of six specific patents: US Patent Nos. 12,737,366, 10,025,731, 10,268,608, 10,217,523, 9,824,035, and 12,308,087. These patents cover technologies used in DDR5 and HBM products.
Rather than seeking damages through the courts, an ITC complaint asks for exclusion orders that can halt product imports at the border. This mechanism differs from traditional patent litigation — the ITC typically moves faster than federal courts, which means a preliminary ruling could arrive within months rather than years.
History of the dispute
The roots of this conflict trace back to 2015, when Netlist entered into a joint development agreement with Samsung. Netlist claims Samsung breached that agreement, effectively using Netlist's proprietary technology to develop its own competing memory products without proper licensing or compensation.
This ITC filing follows a string of jury victories for Netlist. In April 2023, a jury awarded Netlist $303.15 million against Samsung for patent infringement. A second jury verdict in November 2024 tacked on another $118 million against Samsung for separate infringements. Additionally, in 2024, Micron was ordered to pay Netlist $445 million for patent violations.
Supply chain implications
If the ITC grants exclusion orders against Samsung's DRAM modules, it could tighten an already constrained supply chain for AI memory components. Google's Tensor Processing Units are custom AI accelerators that power Google Cloud's machine learning infrastructure — blocking their import would ripple across cloud providers relying on those chips. The outcome of this case will likely shape how memory vendors and AI accelerator makers navigate patent licensing in the coming years.
