The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Nvidia’s licensing agreement with AI chip startup Groq, according to a New York Times report carried by multiple outlets. The probe centers on whether Nvidia structured the deal in a way that sidesteps the antitrust review typically triggered by certain types of mergers or acquisitions.
The agreement, announced in December, is described by outlets as a licensing arrangement that gives Nvidia access to Groq’s AI-specific chips, with Groq continuing to operate independently. Reported deal values vary across coverage, with figures of about $17 billion and $20 billion cited. Some reports also note that the deal includes the hiring of key Groq executives by Nvidia, which regulators may view as part of a combined technology-and-talent strategy.
Across sources, Nvidia is quoted as saying the arrangement reflects lawful, intended conduct and benefits consumers. The outlets also describe the procedural posture of the case as early: the DOJ has requested information from Nvidia, and no findings have been reported. Sources differ mainly on the exact wording and specific deal figures, but they align on the existence of the DOJ inquiry, its antitrust framing, and the licensing-and-hiring structure.
