Hartley LLP represents U.S. purchasers of aluminum and tantalum electrolytic capacitors and film capacitors. Capacitors are a ubiquitous passive components found in virtually every electronic device. They store an electric charge which allowed devices to remember data even when they are powered down. The complaint alleges that the major manufacturers of capacitors conspired to fix the prices of products sold in the United States. Settlements from seventeen of the Defendants were achieved before trial. Trial began against AVX, Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation, United Chemi-Con, Inc. and Matsuo Electric Co., Ltd. in early 2020, but was interrupted by the Covid 19 pandemic. By the time trial finally resumed in late 2021, AVX had settled and trial continued against the remaining Defendants. Finally, minutes before closing argument, after a multi-week trial in the Northern District of California, the last defendant settled for an additional $160 million, bringing the class’s recovery in the case to $600 million. The last settlement is now pending Court approval.
