October 14, 2005 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has agreed to pay a $300 million fine to the US Department of Justice regarding a single charge related to price-fixing allegations in the DRAM market from 1999-2002. The company said it had reserved roughly $100 million last year toward paying an anticipated fine. Hynix Semiconductor and Infineon already have paid lesser fines as part of deals with the DOJ. An Associated Press report noted that seven Samsung employees are not protected by the settlement and could face further antitrust charges. Samsung’s 3Q05 profits plunged 30% to roughly $1.8 billion due in part to the funds set aside, as well as lower chip prices.