SEATTLE – Attorneys representing a class of indirect purchasers of certain lithium ion batteries announced date changes made by the court, affecting the settlements of indirect purchaser antitrust claims brought against defendant manufacturers, LG Chem, Ltd. and LG Chem America, Inc. (“LG Chem”); Hitachi Maxell Ltd. and Maxell Corporation of America (“Hitachi Maxell”); and NEC Corporation (“NEC”), according to class counsel, Hagens Berman.

What are the changes?

The court’s scheduling order extends the deadline to request exclusion from or object to the settlements, extends the claims filing deadline and sets a new date for the final fairness hearing. The new dates are: a new opt-out and objection deadline of Aug. 11, 2017, a new claims filing deadline of Nov. 29, 2017, and a new fairness hearing date of Oct. 3, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Additional details and deadlines are available at www.reversethecharge.com.

What is the case about? 

The lawsuit alleges that defendants and co-conspirators conspired to raise and fix the prices of cylindrical li-ion cells for more than ten years, resulting in overcharges to indirect purchasers of portable computers, camcorders, and power tools containing li-ion cylindrical batteries.

Who is affected?

You may be included if, as a resident of the United States and during the period from Jan. 1, 2000 through May 31, 2011, you indirectly purchased new for your own use and not for resale one of the following products which contained a lithium-ion cylindrical battery manufactured by one or more sefendants in this lawsuit or their co-conspirators: (i) a portable computer; (ii) a power tool; (iii) a camcorder; or (iv) a replacement battery for any of these products. “Indirectly” means the product was purchased from someone other than the manufacturer, such as a retail store. A detailed notice, which includes additional information about the settlements, is available at www.reversethecharge.com.

What are the settlement benefits?

The LG Chem Settlement provides for the payment of $39 million in cash to the class. The Hitachi Maxell settlement provides for the payment of $3,450,000. The NEC settlement provides for the payment of $2.5 million. The settling defendants have also agreed to cooperate in the pursuit of the litigation. Previously, notice was provided about a settlement reached with Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation and Sony Electronics Inc. for $19.5 million.

Where can class members find more information?

For more details about the settlements, visit www.reversethecharge.com, or call 1-855-730-8645. The settlement administrator may also be reached via mail at the following address: Lithium Batteries Indirect Purchaser Settlements, c/o KCC Class Action Services, P.O. Box 43454, Providence, RI 02940-3454

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in 10 cities. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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