DRAM Price-Fixing Class Action Settlement

Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) manufacturers have agreed to settle class action lawsuits accusing them of fixing the price of DRAM, a small component in computer and other electronic devices. If you bought DRAM or products containing DRAM, such as computers, printers, video game consoles or other electronic devices, between Jan. 1, 1998 and Dec. 31, 2002, you could qualify for benefits under the class action settlement.

Who’s Eligible

To be eligible for benefits under the DRAM price-fixing settlement, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are a person or business that purchased DRAM or a device containing DRAM;
• Your purchase was made anytime from Jan. 1, 1998 through Dec. 31, 2002;
• Your purchase was made in the United States, which includes Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. territories, or from a seller located in the United States; and
• Your DRAM purchase was not made directly from any of the DRAM manufacturers.

Potential Award

Of the $310 million Settlement Funds, approximately $200 million is expected to be available for distribution to Class Members. Payments will be determined on a pro rata basis, meaning that the amount each individual Class Member receives will be based on the number of valid claims submitted. The distribution plan provides for a minimum payment of $10 for each individual or business that makes a claim.

The only way to receive a payment from the DRAM price-fixing settlement is to submit a valid Claim Form, postmarked no later than Aug. 1, 2014.

Proof of Purchase

None required. However, it is possible that the Claims Administrator may request it at a later time, so save any documentation/proof that you may still have.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

8/1/2014

Case Name

In re: DRAM Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1486, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Case Summary

DRAM, which stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory, is a form of fast and inexpensive data storage essential to the operation of computers and other digital devices. Class action lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of DRAM, alleging that they fixed the prices of DRAM from Jan. 1, 1998 through Dec. 31, 2002, resulting in overcharges to people and businesses that bought DRAM or devices containing DRAM. The defendants have denied the allegations but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation.

The class action settlements involve the following types of DRAM:

• Extended Data Out (EDO)
• Fast-Page Mode (FPM)
• Reduced Latency (RLDRAM)
• Synchronous (SDRAM)
• Rambus (RDRAM)
• Asynchronous (ASYNC)
• Double Data Rate (DDR)

The class action settlements do not include static random access memory (SRAM).

Final Hearing

6/25/2014

Settlement Website

www.DRAMclaims.com

Claims Administrator

DRAM Indirect Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
P.O. Box 8097
Fairbault, MN 55021-9497
1-800-589-1425

Class Counsel

COOPER & KIRKHAM PC

STRAUS & BOIES LLP

GUSTAFSON GLUEK PLLC

MOGIN LAW FIRM PC

Defense Counsel

N/A

UPDATE: Several Class Members filed objections to the DRAM class action settlement on May 5, 2014, saying it contains flaws in how damages are calculated for Class Members. Others object to how high the charitable award payments are.

UPDATE 2: 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 3: On June 25, 2014, a California federal judge gave final approval to the computer chip price-fixing class action settlement.

UPDATE 4: According to the Settlement Administrator, Class Members who filed a valid and timely Claim Form should expect a settlement check in July 2016. 

UPDATE 5: On July 7, 2016, Top Class Actions readers who submitted timely and valid claims for the DRAM settlement began receiving checks worth as much as $72.69.