In re Hard Disk Drive Suspension Assemblies Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 19-md-2918
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Settlement Size: TBD
Class Period: January 1, 2003 to May 31, 2016
Filing Deadline: TBD
Status: On January 14, 2025, the Court for the Northern District of California has officially certified the proposed class of end-user purchasers of products containing allegedly price-fixed suspension assemblies in the ongoing litigation.
What is this case about?
In October 2019, various class actions were consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against many manufacturers of hard disk drive (“HDD”) suspension assemblies alleging a conspiracy – on a global scale – to fix prices and allocate market shares. The HDD suspension assembly is a critical component for the operation and performance of electronic devices. HDD suspension assemblies are included in a vast array of devices, including computers, gaming systems, printers and photocopy machines.
do I qualify?
If you are an entity that from January 1, 2003 to May 31, 2016, in the following states or jurisdictions - District of Columbia, AZ, AR, CA, FL, HI, IA, KS, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WV and WI, purchased a storage device which included a hard disk drive suspension assembly (“HDD Suspension Assembly” defined below) that was manufactured or sold by TDK Corporation, Magnecomp Precision Technology Public Co. Ltd., Magnecomp Corporation, SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd., Hutchinson Technology Inc., NHK Spring Co. Ltd. and several related entities, and NAT Peripheral (Dong Guan) Co. Ltd., and two of its corporate relatives (collectively, “Defendants”) (the “End User Class”); or
2) all persons or entities in CA, MI, MN, NY or NC, except Original Equipment Manufacturers (companies that manufacture products for sale to the mass market by its customers), who or which, from January 1, 2003 through May 31, 2016: 1) purchased a Standalone Storage Device or computer for resale which included as a component part one or more HDD Suspension Assemblies that were manufactured or sold by the Defendants, any current or former subsidiary of the Defendants, or any co-conspirator of the Defendants; or 2) indirectly purchased an HDD Suspension Assembly, for resale, that was manufactured or sold by the Defendants, any current or former subsidiary of the Defendants, or any co-conspirator of the Defendants (the “Reseller Class”).
“HDD Suspension Assembly” is a set of components used to attach and protect a traditional spinning hard disk drive (HDD) within a computer or other electronic device. A typical hard disk drive suspension assembly includes a combination of rubber grommets, metal brackets, and screws or other fasteners that attach the HDD to the computer case or chassis. The rubber grommets are designed to absorb and dampen any vibrations or shock that the HDD may encounter, while the metal brackets hold the drive securely in place.
WHAT DO I NEED TO SUPPLY TO FILE A CLAIM?
When claims administration begins, we will know more on what may be needed.