Korean chipmakers face greater risk as U.S. trade commission opens patent dispute probe

The U.S. International Trade Commission launched a Section 337 investigation after NPE Monolithic 3D accused SK hynix and Kioxia of infringing HBM and NAND flash patents, seeking import bans. Korean chipmakers face increasing patent troll lawsuits, with 553 of 610 cases filed in the U.S. between 2020-2025. Samsung faces separate HBM dispute with NPE Netlist, which previously secured $40 million from SK hynix and $118 million from Samsung in Texas federal court.