>Optical Disc Drives (ODD)
Date Filed: May 6, 2010
Court: U.S. District Court
Location: California
Consumers are taking legal action against the technology industry for allegedly manipulating the price of CD and DVD drives in the United States, says Hagens Berman. The class-action law firm filed the complaint on behalf of consumers in the U.S. District Court of Northern California in April 2010.
Attorneys with Hagens Berman believe CD and DVD hardware makers including Sony, Hitachi, LG Technology and Philips allegedly conducted anticompetitive business practices that eliminated new market competitors and created artificially high prices for optical disc drives (ODD) and products.
The ODD market has dramatically increased over the last two decades and is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. ODD products can copy or play digital entertainment content via a CD or DVD, and are usually included in a range of products from laptops or desktop computers to gaming consoles and DVD players.
Since 2000, many of the world’s leading makers of ODD products came together through joint ventures and long standing business relationships to allegedly set high market barriers and fix prices on CD and DVD products, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also states that the Department of Justice is currently investigating the technology industry for anticompetitive conduct and price-fixing of ODD products.
Attorneys with Hagens Berman believe these business practices created an anticompetitive marketplace by giving ODD industry leaders an uninterrupted opportunity to collaboratively discuss pricing, capacity utilization and other prospective market information.
The strong collaboration between ODD industry leaders caused potential and emerging competitors to refrain from entering the ODD market, the lawsuit states. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that consumers were forced to pay inflated prices for ODD products.
Hagens Berman is representing consumers in the class-action lawsuit against ODD makers. If you purchased a laptop, desktop computer, gaming consoles or entertainment player that features an optical disc drive after November 1, 2005, you are encouraged to join this case.
UPDATES:
June 4, 2010 – United States District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker appointed Steve Berman and Jeff Friedman with Hagens Berman as interim class counsel, representing plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit filed against ODD makers in April 2010. According to the court order, the final appointment of class counsel will be made when and if a class of indirect purchaser plaintiffs is certified.
June 24, 2010 - Judge Walker believed the broad stay of discovery DOJ requested was not justified here. The court intends to allow the normal evidence discovery process to proceed against the likes of Sony, Samsung and other optical disc drive makers, and address any specific concerns raised by the government if and when they arise.
Court: U.S. District Court
Location: California
Consumers are taking legal action against the technology industry for allegedly manipulating the price of CD and DVD drives in the United States, says Hagens Berman. The class-action law firm filed the complaint on behalf of consumers in the U.S. District Court of Northern California in April 2010.
Attorneys with Hagens Berman believe CD and DVD hardware makers including Sony, Hitachi, LG Technology and Philips allegedly conducted anticompetitive business practices that eliminated new market competitors and created artificially high prices for optical disc drives (ODD) and products.
The ODD market has dramatically increased over the last two decades and is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. ODD products can copy or play digital entertainment content via a CD or DVD, and are usually included in a range of products from laptops or desktop computers to gaming consoles and DVD players.
Since 2000, many of the world’s leading makers of ODD products came together through joint ventures and long standing business relationships to allegedly set high market barriers and fix prices on CD and DVD products, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also states that the Department of Justice is currently investigating the technology industry for anticompetitive conduct and price-fixing of ODD products.
Attorneys with Hagens Berman believe these business practices created an anticompetitive marketplace by giving ODD industry leaders an uninterrupted opportunity to collaboratively discuss pricing, capacity utilization and other prospective market information.
The strong collaboration between ODD industry leaders caused potential and emerging competitors to refrain from entering the ODD market, the lawsuit states. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that consumers were forced to pay inflated prices for ODD products.
Hagens Berman is representing consumers in the class-action lawsuit against ODD makers. If you purchased a laptop, desktop computer, gaming consoles or entertainment player that features an optical disc drive after November 1, 2005, you are encouraged to join this case.
UPDATES:
June 4, 2010 – United States District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker appointed Steve Berman and Jeff Friedman with Hagens Berman as interim class counsel, representing plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit filed against ODD makers in April 2010. According to the court order, the final appointment of class counsel will be made when and if a class of indirect purchaser plaintiffs is certified.
June 24, 2010 - Judge Walker believed the broad stay of discovery DOJ requested was not justified here. The court intends to allow the normal evidence discovery process to proceed against the likes of Sony, Samsung and other optical disc drive makers, and address any specific concerns raised by the government if and when they arise.
Key Attorneys
Steve W. Berman
Mr. Berman helped to found the firm in 1993, and is the managing partner. He has served as lead or co-le... link >>
Jeff D. Friedman
Mr. Friedman is a partner at Hagens Berman's San Francisco office where he specializes in class actions ... link >>
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