U.S. International Trade Commission Starts Investigation on Memory Chips
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The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has begun an investigation. This is related to certain NAND and DRAM memory chips and products that have these chips. The investigation was started because of a complaint by MonolithIC 3D Inc. from Allen, Texas. The complaint was filed on May 11, 2026.
MonolithIC 3D Inc. says that some companies are breaking the rules. They claim these companies are bringing memory chips into the United States that infringe on their patents. A patent is a government license that gives a person or company the right to stop others from making or selling an invention.
The complaint mentions several specific U.S. patents. These are U.S. Patent No. 12,250,830; U.S. Patent No. 12,362,330; U.S. Patent No. 12,400,961; U.S. Patent No. 12,464,734; and U.S. Patent No. 12,564,006.
The USITC wants to check if these patents are being violated. The investigation will look at whether the accused products are being brought into the United States, sold for importation, or sold in the U.S. after they have been imported.
The investigation started on June 10, 2026. The investigation will also check if there is an industry in the U.S. being harmed or just getting started because of this issue. The accused products mainly include 3D NAND memory chips and HBM DRAM memory chips. These chips are used in products like SSDs and flash memory products.
The companies that are being investigated include KIOXIA Holdings Corporation and its related branches in the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan. SK hynix Inc. and its branches in the U.S. and Korea are also being investigated.
These companies have to respond to the complaint within 20 days. If they don’t respond, they might lose the right to defend themselves. This could result in orders that stop them from bringing or selling their products in the U.S.
The Chief Administrative Law Judge will pick a judge to oversee the investigation.
This is an important investigation. It involves technology companies and memory chips that are used in many devices today. The USITC is acting to make sure that patent laws are not being broken.
The information on this case can be found online. It is publicly available for those who want to learn more.
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