On July 29, 2019, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that NHK Spring Co. LTD. (NHK) pleaded guilty for its role in a global conspiracy to fix prices on the hard disk drive suspension assemblies. NHK has agreed to pay a $28.5 million criminal fine. Numerous other manufacturers are also alleged to have participated in the conspiracy, driving the cost of HDDs higher.
If you bought a hard disk drive and re-sold it as stand-alone merchandise or as part of computer between May 2008 and April 2019, we would like to assist you with your potential claim. Please fill out a free case review or give us a call at 1.800.887.8029 to learn how we can help. Zimmerman Reed has experience handling claims like this, and we are here to listen to your story and answer any questions you may have.
Hard Disk Drive Suspension Assembly Background
Hard disk drives are used to store large amounts of digital information. They are sold as stand-alone components or incorporated into computers. Hard disk drives use magnetic recording heads to read from and write onto rapidly spinning disks. The suspension assemblies hold magnetic recording heads close to the disks and provide an electrical connection.
NHK and its subsidiaries have been subject to an ongoing investigation focused on activities related to illegal price-fixing and market allocation. On July 29, 2019, the DOJ announced that NHK pled guilty for its role in a global conspiracy to fix prices of suspension assemblies. Subject to court approval, the company agreed to pay $28.5 million criminal fine and to cooperate in the ongoing investigation.
In the news
July 29,2019: Japanese Manufacturer Agrees to Plead Guilty to Fixing Prices for Suspension Assemblies Used in Hard Disk Drives, justice.gov
How We Can Help
If you bought a hard disk drive and re-sold it—whether as a stand alone part or as part of a computer or other device between May 2008 and April 2019, we would like to assist you with your potential claim. Please fill out a free case review or give us a call at 1.800.887.8029 to learn how we can help. Zimmerman Reed has experience handling antitrust claims—we are here to listen to you and answer any questions you may have.