Top court upholds antitrust watchdog's $13.8 mil. fine on Broadcom

South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld the Fair Trade Commission’s 18.6 billion-won fine against Broadcom for unfair business practices involving Samsung Electronics. The ruling followed Broadcom’s challenge to the FTC decision and a Seoul High Court ruling against the company in May. The FTC said Broadcom used its superior position to require Samsung to sign a long-term agreement in 2020.

The FTC imposed the fine in 2023.

The agreement required Samsung to buy at least $760 million worth of Broadcom smartphone parts annually from 2021 to 2023.

Broadcom was required to compensate Samsung for any shortfall if its purchases fell below the annual amount.

Broadcom filed its lawsuit challenging the FTC decision in November 2023.

An FTC decision challenged in court is reviewed by the Seoul High Court, whose ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Published Nov 2, 2026 9:58 pm KST

Updated Nov 2, 2026 10:05 pm KST

The Broadcom logo is seen in this photo illustration created June 11. Reuters-Yonhap

Korea's top court has upheld the country's antitrust watchdog's decision to impose an 18.6 billion won ($13.8 million) fine on U.S. chipmaker Broadcom Inc. for unfair business practices against Samsung Electronics, sources said Monday.

According to the sources, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling against Broadcom in a lawsuit the U.S. company filed against the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

In 2023, the FTC fined Broadcom for using its superior position to force Samsung to sign a long-term agreement in 2020.

According to the watchdog, Broadcom compelled Samsung to purchase at least $760 million worth of its smartphone parts annually from 2021 to 2023 and required the South Korean tech giant to compensate for any shortfall if its purchases fell below that amount.

Broadcom filed a lawsuit challenging the FTC's decision in November 2023.

In May, however, the Seoul High Court ruled against Broadcom, finding the fine justified.

An FTC decision, when challenged, is reviewed by the Seoul High Court, whose ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

韩国最高法院维持了公平交易委员会对博通公司处以186亿韩元罚款的裁决，理由是该公司存在不正当竞争行为，涉及三星电子。此前，博通公司曾对公平交易委员会的裁决以及首尔高等法院5月份对其不利的判决提出上诉。公平交易委员会称，博通公司利用其市场优势，迫使三星在2020年签署了一项长期协议。

美国联邦贸易委员会于 2023 年处以罚款。

该协议要求三星从 2021 年到 2023 年每年至少购买价值 7.6 亿美元的博通智能手机零部件。

如果博通的采购量低于年度限额，则博通需要向三星支付差额补偿。

博通公司于 2023 年 11 月提起诉讼，对联邦贸易委员会的决定提出质疑。

如果联邦贸易委员会的决定在法庭上受到质疑，则由首尔高等法院进行审查，首尔高等法院的裁决可以上诉至最高法院。

发布于2026年11月2日晚上9:58（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年11月2日晚上10:05（韩国标准时间）

这张照片插图拍摄于6月11日，图中可见博通公司的标志。（路透社-韩联社）

据消息人士周一透露，韩国最高法院维持了该国反垄断监管机构的决定，对美国芯片制造商博通公司处以 186 亿韩元（约合 1380 万美元）的罚款，原因是该公司对三星电子实施了不正当的商业行为。

据消息人士透露，最高法院周二维持了下级法院对博通公司不利的裁决，该裁决涉及这家美国公司对公平贸易委员会 (FTC) 提起的诉讼。

2023 年，美国联邦贸易委员会 (FTC) 对博通公司处以罚款，原因是该公司利用其优势地位迫使三星在 2020 年签署了一项长期协议。

据监管机构称，博通公司强迫三星在 2021 年至 2023 年期间每年至少购买价值 7.6 亿美元的智能手机零部件，并要求这家韩国科技巨头在购买量低于该金额时弥补任何缺口。

博通公司于 2023 年 11 月提起诉讼，对联邦贸易委员会的决定提出质疑。

然而，今年5月，首尔高等法院推翻了博通公司的判决，认为罚款合理。

如果联邦贸易委员会的决定受到质疑，将由首尔高等法院进行审查，首尔高等法院的裁决可以上诉至最高法院。