04:45 AM EDT, 09/10/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Nvidia (NVDA) is being investigated by the US Department of Justice, or DOJ, over whether it structured a licensing agreement with AI chip startup Groq to avoid antitrust scrutiny of a deal it struck late last year, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
Nvidia announced a $17 billion deal with Groq in December 2025 for a nonexclusive license that gave Nvidia access to Groq's chips and hired several Groq executives, including founder and CEO Jonathan Ross, the Journal reported.
The DOJ opened its investigation shortly after the deal was announced and has sent Nvidia a formal request for information, according to The New York Times.
The DOJ could fine Nvidia if it determines the company mishandled the deal, although it is unlikely to seek to unwind the transaction, according to the report.
Representatives from Nvidia and Groq did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires.
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