Hard-Disk-Drive Components Antitrust Lawsuit Gets Class Status

Retailers and consumer plaintiffs who bought products containing hard-disk drive components manufactured by a group of Japanese companies obtained class certification in their lawsuit, as a judge found they provided enough evidence of a price-fixing conspiracy.

Judge Maxine M. Chesney of the US District Court for the Northern District of California in a Jan. 10 order granted class status to a group of reseller plaintiffs, including retailers, and a separate group of end-user consumer plaintiffs who allege they paid more than they should have due to a price-fixing agreement among defendants including TDK Corp. and NHK Spring Co. Ltd.

“The ...