Netlist, Samsung Sign Five-Year Memory Patent Deal

According to Netlist, the company has reached a five-year agreement with Samsung Electronics to license its memory chip patents, granting Samsung access to Netlist’s patented technologies while resolving years of legal disputes between the two companies.

Netlist focuses on developing advanced memory and storage solutions, including server memory and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technologies designed for artificial intelligence (AI) computing applications. Under the agreement, Samsung will gain access to Netlist’s patent portfolio covering server dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) and HBM technologies used in AI servers and high-performance computing (HPC) systems.

As part of the deal, Samsung will provide Netlist with DRAM and NAND flash memory products. DRAM is widely used for temporary data storage during processor operations, while NAND flash enables long-term data storage in devices and data center systems.

The two companies have also agreed to resolve all outstanding legal disputes. Under the memory product supply agreement, Samsung will purchase 10 million shares of Netlist stock.

The agreement comes shortly after a U.S. trade regulator launched an investigation into Samsung’s memory chips following a complaint from Netlist alleging patent infringement. The investigation covers products sold by companies including Google, NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Super Micro Computer that incorporate Samsung memory technologies.

The settlement follows several years of patent litigation between the two companies. In 2023, a Texas jury ordered Samsung to pay Netlist $303 million in damages related to data processing technologies used in memory products. In 2024, another ruling awarded Netlist an additional $118 million.

As technology companies continue expanding AI data centers, demand for high-performance memory solutions has surged, increasing demand for advanced memory chips from major manufacturers such as Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron Technology. The agreement highlights the growing importance of memory technologies in supporting next-generation AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.