The following is being released by Kinsella Media, LLC, court-approved notice provider for the LCD Flat Panel litigation.
This is the second notice in this case. The Court previously
approved Settlements with seven Defendants. Settlements have now been
reached with the three remaining Defendants: AU Optronics, LG Display
and Toshiba ("New Settlements").
This lawsuit involves the price of thin film transistor liquid
crystal display flat panels ("TFT-LCD" or "LCD"). The lawsuit claims
that the Defendants conspired to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize
prices of TFT-LCD Flat Panels resulting in overcharges to consumers who
bought televisions, monitors and notebook computers containing the
panels. The Defendants deny these allegations. The Court has not
decided who is right.
The Settlements will provide almost $1.1 billion to consumers in 24 states and the District of Columbia
and governmental entities in eight states that purchased televisions,
monitors and notebook computers containing an LCD Flat Panel from
someone other than the manufacturer of the Flat Panel. The Settlements
also provide nationwide injunctive relief to stop the Defendants'
alleged behavior.
The 24 states are: AZ, AR, CA, FL, HI, IA, KS, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS,
MO, NV, NM, NY, NC, ND, RI, SD, TN, VT, WV and WI. The Attorneys
General of AR, CA, FL, MI, MO, NY, WV and WI are also participating in
the case on behalf of their citizens and governmental entities.
Specific class definitions are available at www.LCDclass.com.
The Court will hold a hearing on
November 29, 2012
to consider whether to approve the three New Settlements. Consumers
may object to the three New Settlements, plan of distribution,
attorneys' fees and costs, and awards to Class Representatives by
October 9, 2012
. Consumers may hire their lawyer to appear and speak at the hearing at their own expense.
With the exception noted below, the first notice gave consumers the
opportunity to exclude themselves. Consumers who did not exclude
themselves have given up the right to sue the Defendants for the claims
in this case. Only individuals and businesses that indirectly purchased a
LCD Flat Panel: (1) while residing in Arkansas; (2) while residing in Missouri or Rhode Island
that was not primarily for household or personal use; or (3) that had a
direct purchase in addition to an indirect purchase, have until
October 9, 2012
to exclude themselves from the litigation involving AU Optronics,
LG Display and Toshiba. Consumers outside the 24 states and the District of Columbia keep the right to sue the Defendants for monetary relief.
Payments will be based on the number of valid claims filed as well as
on the number/type of LCD Flat Panel products that consumers purchased.
It is expected that a minimum payment of $25
will be made to all eligible consumers who submit a valid claim. It is
possible that any money remaining after claims are paid will be
distributed to charities, governmental entities or other beneficiaries
approved by the Court.
Consumers must submit a claim in order to get a payment. Claim Forms
can be submitted online or by mail. Claim Forms can be obtained at www.LCDclass.com or by calling 1-855-225-1886. The deadline to submit a claim is
December 6, 2012
.
This is only a summary of the litigation. Consumers are encouraged to visit www.LCDclass.com
to get more information about the litigation, obtain copies of the
Settlement Agreements, and to file a claim or to download a Claim Form.
Consumer may also call: 1-855-225-1886 or write to: LCD Class, P.O. Box
8025,
Faribault, MN 55021-9425 to get additional information.
SOURCE Kinsella Media, LLC
