In re: TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litigation
Subscribe to In re: TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litigation's Posts

THE LATEST: Limiting Early Discovery in Parallel Criminal and Civil Cases

Companies are increasingly facing parallel proceedings involving government investigations and follow-on private litigation. These complex cases often involve competing interests between the parties that can influence a judge’s determination on discovery timing and process.

  • Private plaintiffs are incentivized to obtain as much information about the case as early as possible to support their allegations and avoid having the case dismissed on summary judgment.
  • Defendants hope to delay, or save altogether, the expenditure of potentially millions in discovery costs.
  • The government has a strong interest in preserving the confidentiality and integrity of their investigation without interference from civil plaintiffs. (more…)



read more

Best Buy Wins and Loses LCD Price Fixing Trial

by Karne Newburn

On September 3, 2013, a California federal jury unanimously found HannStar Display Corp. liable for conspiring to fix prices on liquid crystal display (LCD) panels.  However, the jury found co-defendant Toshiba Corporation not liable.  The jury awarded plaintiff Best Buy Company $7.47 million in direct damages.  The case is In re: TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litigation (3:07-md-01827) located in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Best Buy accused Toshiba and HannStar of conspiring with other firms to fix prices for LCD panels.  Prior to and during trial, HannStar admitted participating in meetings where major electronics makers agreed to fix panel prices.  The lawsuit stemmed from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice which resulted in guilty plea agreements for HannStar and other Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean firms, not including Toshiba.

Plaintiff’s experts argued that the defendants owed Best Buy up to $770 million.  Defense experts calculated damages significantly lower and the jury agreed with those estimates.  However, even though the jury awarded damages, Best Buy may not be able to collect based on the jury’s decision that HannStar’s conduct did not have a direct, substantial and reasonably foreseeable effect on trade or commerce in the United States as required by the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act.




read more

BLOG EDITORS

STAY CONNECTED

TOPICS

ARCHIVES

Ranked In Chambers USA 2022
US Leading Firm 2022