PRICE FIXING SUSPICIONS: The European Commission could fine ten major chipmakers

This week, the European Commission (EC) could fine ten big memory chip makers companies, including "Samsung", "Infineon" and "Hynix Semiconductor", for illegal price fixing, sources close to the discussions claim, as quoted by Reuters.

"A decision on the fine is expected to be reached on Wednesday", said one of the quoted sources.

This would be the first decision of this nature made by the authorities in Brussels based on the procedures introduced in July 2008, according to which companies which admit their involvement in illegal cartel activities would get a 10% reduction of the fine.

The other companies targeted by the European Commission are "Micron Technology", "Elpida Memory", "NEC Electronics", "Hitachi", "Toshiba", "Mistubishi Electric" and "Nanya Technology".

"Samsung" and "Hynix" are the world"s largest memory chip makers in the world, with annual turnover of billions of dollars.

One of the mentioned sources said that the total fines could amount to EUR 300 million (USD 381 million), but the amount owed would have been far greater without the procedure which was introduced in 2008.

Memory chips are present in many digital devices, from computers and laptops to mobile phones, video and photo cameras, printers, gaming consoler or portable storage devices.

According to European legislation, the Commission can fine the companies it finds guilty of price fixing with an amount of up to 10% of the annual turnover.

"Samsung Electronics", "Micron", "Hynix" and "Infineon" have already been targeted by Korean authorities for price fixing, but competition regulators in South Korea withdrew their charges in 2007.

In December 2009, "Infineon" announced that European authorities launched an official investigation against the company alleging anti-competitive practices on the market for DRAM chips, which are used for personal computers, printers, mobile phones, and gaming consoles.