If you made a DIRECT purchase of a Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display ("TFT-LCD") Product in the United States between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2006 from any of the named defendants, or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or a co-conspirator, a class action lawsuit and Settlements may affect you.
A class action lawsuit brought by, and on behalf of, direct purchasers of Thin Film-Liquid Crystal Display panels and products containing those panels ("TFT-LCDs") is currently pending. Plaintiffs allege violations of federal antitrust laws in connection with the sale of TFT-LCDs.
On March 28, 2010, the Court certified Litigation Classes. On February 17, 2011, the Court finally approved a partial class settlement with defendant Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd. for $10,000,000, and also finally approved a partial class settlement with defendants Epson Electronics America, Inc. and Epson Imaging Devices Corporation ("Epson") for $7,000,000.
On December 27, 2011, the Court approved the settlements with defendants Chimei Innolux Corporation, Chi Mei Corporation, Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corporation, CMO Japan Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Optoelectronics USA, Inc.; Nexgen Mediatech, Inc., and Nexgen Mediatech USA, Inc. ("Chi Mei"); HannStar Display Corporation; Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Displays, Ltd., and Hitachi Electronic Devices (USA), Inc. ("Hitachi Displays, Ltd."); LG Display Co. Ltd. and LG Display America, Inc. ("LG Display Co. Ltd."); Mitsui & Co. (Taiwan), Ltd.; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. ("Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd."); Sanyo Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.; and Sharp Corporation totaling $388,022,242. The deadline for filing a claim in this matter has passed.
A settlement has been reached with AU Optronics. On August 10, 2012 the court will hold a Fairness hearing to determine, among other things, if the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. Additionally, the trial against Toshiba ended with a verdict for the Plaintiffs.