Korean Noodles Direct Purchaser Settlement

A $350,000 settlement fund will be distributed between direct purchasers of Korean noodles that were allegedly the subject of a price-fixing scheme.

The settlement benefits direct purchasers of Korean noodles from Nong Shim Co. Ltd., Nongshim America Inc., Ottogi Co. Ltd., or Ottogi America Inc. between April 1, 2003 through Jan. 31, 2010.

The ramen noodle class action lawsuit was filed in 2013 after a 2012 report released by Korean authorities accused several companies of conspiring together to fix the price of ramen noodle products. Authorities reportedly issued around 136 billion won in fines, equal to around $125 million USD.

Plaintiffs in the ramen noodle class action claimed that Ottogi Co. Ltd., Nong Shim Co. Ltd., Korea Yakult Co. Ltd., Samyang Foods Co. Ltd., and their subsidiaries were a part of a conspiracy to artificially raise the prices of Korean noodles.

Nong Shim would allegedly raise their prices first due to their position as market leader and the other companies would follow with raised prices shortly afterwards.

A $1 million settlement was reached between Samyang Foods and the plaintiffs in August 2016. Of this fund, around $350,000 will be distributed between direct purchasers of all Korean noodles.

In December 2018, a jury found that the companies will not be held liable for the alleged price-fixing scheme. The plaintiffs have not appealed this decision. Despite the settlement with Samyang Foods, other companies will not have to pay.

Although indirect purchasers were certified as a Class, they will not be benefiting from the settlement. There are millions of indirect purchasers in the Class and the available funds were not large enough to warrant a distribution of payments for these consumers.

Direct purchasers will receive a proportional share of the settlement fund if they file a valid claim. The payment amounts will depend on the number of claims received.

Class Members need to file a valid claim with the Korean noodles settlement by Nov. 13, 2019 in order to receive payment. The deadline for exclusion was June 9, 2017. The deadline for objection is Nov. 13, 2019. The final approval hearing was Aug. 17, 2016.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who purchased Korean noodles directly from Nong Shim Co. Ltd., Nongshim America Inc., Ottogi Co. Ltd., or Ottogi America Inc. between April 1, 2003 through Jan. 31, 2010.

Potential Award

Varies. Final payment amounts will depend on the number of valid claims filed with the settlement, as each claimant will receive a proportional share of the settlement.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

11/13/2019

Case Name

In re: Korean Noodles Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:13-CV-4115-WHO-DMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

8/17/2016

Settlement Website

www.RamenClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

Korean Noodles Antitrust Litigation
c/o KCC Class Action Services
P.O. Box 43434
Providence, RI 02940-3434
info@RamenClassAction.com

Class Counsel

Lee Albert
Gregory B. Linkh
Lionel Z. Glancy
GLANCY PRONGAY & MURRAY LLP

Christopher L. Lebsock
Michael P. Lehmann
Stephanie Cho
Michael Hausfeld
HAUSFELD LLP

Defense Counsel

Elizabeth Mann
Justin R. Dickerson
MAYER BROWN LLP

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