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Alleged collusion by makers of dynamic random access memory chips had apparently been resolved with preliminary approval of a $310 million DRAM price fixing class action settlement, but objections are being raised about how the damages will be divided, among other issues.
DRAM chips have been used in many video game systems and nearly all computers. Multiple class action lawsuits had been filed by consumers alleging manufacturers engaged in price fixing to artificially increase the price of the components between 1998 and 2002. Federal Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton had originally certified a nationwide DRAM class action settlement Class of indirect purchasers, those who bought a product containing a DRAM chip, but two objectors argue that is simplistic and misses a key issue.
The funds are supposed to be allocated on an equal basis among the 50 states, but residents of more than a dozen states do not have standing to pursue damages as indirect purchasers, according to the objection filed May 5. They are governed by the Supreme Court’s decision in Illinois Brick Co. v. Illinois in 1977, which specifically forbids antitrust actions from indirect purchasers. Further, the damages calculation for the states that passed statutes are not accurate, the objectors argue.
The objectors cite case law including the multidstrict litigation In Re: Relafen Antitrust Litigation in which the matrix of payments was based the states’ various consumer protection laws, noting that “Hawaiians received 90% reimbursement of Relafen purchases, Californians received 82.5% of Relafen purchases, while Florida, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota New York and North Carolina residents received 60% or less of their Relafen purchases.” The same should occur in the DRAM price fixing class action settlement, the Class Members argue.
In addition, another objector group contended that charitable payments included in the DRAM settlement represent too high of a percentage of the total fund, amounting to tens of millions of dollars. That money should instead go to the Class Members of indirect purchasers, they argued.
The dissenters are represented by class action lawsuit attorneys Timothy R. Hanigan of Lane Hanigan & Carvalho LLP and John J. Pentz, each of whom registered separate objections.
The DRAM Price Fixing Class Action Lawsuits are centralized as In Re: Dynamic Random Access Memory Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1486, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
If you bought a product containing one of these electronics parts, you may be able to seek an award based on the DRAM price fixing allegations. Learn more by visiting the DRAM Price-Fixing Class Action Settlement now. You can begin your claim there. Claims will only be accepted until Aug. 1, 2014.
UPDATE: The Settlement Administrator is telling claimants to let their friends, family and co-workers know about the computer chip price-fixing settlement. The deadline to file a claim is August 1, 2014, so act quickly!
UPDATE 2: On June 25, 2014, a California federal judge gave final approval to the computer chip price-fixing class action settlement.
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11 thoughts onDRAM Price-Fixing Class Action Settlement Met With Objections
checks will be mailed out in july 2016, check out the post
I have not received a check nor have I seen a date they will be mailed.
Still haven/t heard when checks will be mailed..
I haven’t gotten a check yet. Has any one gotten one?
the objections have been resolved and payment for the distribution will occur sometime in the first quarter of next year
Well will they be distribute checks or not im curious to see
When will the checks be distributed????
When will the checks be distributed??????
UPDATE: On June 25, 2014, a California federal judge gave final approval to the computer chip price-fixing class action settlement.
When will the checks be distributed???
UPDATE: The Settlement Administrator is telling claimants to let their friends, family and co-workers know about the computer chip price-fixing settlement. The deadline to file a claim is August 1, 2014, so act quickly!