The US Justice Department is investigating Nvidia’s $17 billion licensing agreement with artificial intelligence chip startup Groq.
Reuters reported that the investigation is examining whether the deal was structured to avoid antitrust scrutiny.
The agreement includes a non-exclusive licence to Groq’s chip technology.
Nvidia also hired several senior Groq executives, including founder Jonathan Ross.
The Justice Department requested information from Nvidia after the agreement was announced.
Nvidia has defended the transaction.
The investigation comes as regulators increase scrutiny of major technology companies and their influence over artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The investigation does not mean Nvidia has been found to have violated antitrust law.
SOURCES:
Reuters: US DOJ investigates Nvidia’s Groq deal- https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-doj-probes-nvidias-licensing-deal-with-ai-startup-groq-nyt-reports-2026-09-10/
