AG Mills Announces Settlement to Benefit Mainers who Purchased Products with 'DRAM' Memory Chips
(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) AUGUSTA, Maine, March 11 -- The Maine Attorney General issued the following news release:
Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today that consumers can now file claims to recover money due to them as part of a national settlement worth $310 million. The settlement is with all the major manufacturers of Dynamic Random Access Memory computer chips ("DRAM") for conspiring to fix their prices. Eligible consumers include those who paid more for DRAM or for the many electronic devices that contain DRAM.
"I encourage Mainers to take just a few moments to fill out the claim form," said Attorney General Mills. "In order to ensure that these manufacturers are held accountable for their actions, we need people to speak up. The activities were so widespread and these products were so common, if you bought one of the identified devices, you were likely a victim of the alleged price-fixing. The form is simple and only takes a moment to fill out."
After completing an investigation in 2006, Maine with other states, filed antitrust lawsuits in federal court alleging that Maine's consumers over-paid for electronic devices containing DRAM for their purchases made from 1998 to 2002. DRAM is a common form of memory chip found in computers and other high technology devices.
The settlements, reached in conjunction with class actions, pay individuals and businesses that purchased DRAM or devices containing DRAM in the United States during 1998 to 2002 from someone other than a DRAM manufacturer, such as retailers like Best Buy or Staples. The settlements also require the DRAM manufacturers to implement antitrust compliance programs and enjoin them from certain conduct related to the sale of DRAM that would violate the antitrust laws.
To receive money from the settlement, eligible consumers need to submit a claim form by August 1, 2014 with the settlements' administrator. The amount of money received depends on the type and quantity of electronic devices a claimant has purchased, and the total number of claims made. Individuals who purchased DRAM or products containing DRAM are expected to get a minimum $10 payment and may end up receiving up to the amount of the overpayment they actually made due to the alleged price fixing.
To file a claim, visit www.DRAMclaims.com or call 1-800-589-1425.
Any consumer who purchased one or more of the following between 1998 and 2002 is eligible to make a claim:
* Desktop computers * Laptop computers * Computer servers * Computer graphics cards * Printers * Video game consoles * MP3 players * PDAs * DVD players * Digital video recorders.
If you purchased other technology devices also containing DRAM memory, you also may be eligible to make a claim.
Any payments resulting from the settlement cannot be made until the court has granted final approval to the settlements, including the resolution of any appeals. It is anticipated that final approval will occur within the next two years. Also, if too many or few claims are received, the court may order that the settlement funds be provided to public or non-profit organizations in addition to or instead of consumers who file claims.
For more information about the settlements, visit www.DRAMclaims.com or call 1-800-589-1425.
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