As predictable, the European Union has fined nine semiconductor producers today above price fixing, with price calculated more than €331 million. Samsung countenances the highest fee of €145.7 million, while Infineon expected the second highest at €56.7 million.

Those sums could have been much elevated. According to the NY Times,
“ The Commission reduced Samsung’s fine by about 20% and around 50% for Infineon after settlement arrangements, under which the companies agree not to appeal to the EU’s ruling,. Others hit by the suit include Hitachi, Mitsubishi, NEC, Toshiba, Elpida, Hynix, and Nanya – most if not all of which were granted a 10% reduction in penalties. “

Micron was concerned in the alliance, but established resistance for blowing the whistle. Regulators thought,
“Between July 1, 1998 and June 15, 2002, the companies shared “secret information, mostly on a bilateral basis, through which they coordinated the price levels and quotations for DRAMs.”

[Via Techspot]