Archive for January 2012

LCD Makers Agree To Pay $539M In Price-Fix Settlement

January 18, 2012 at 11:14 am   »   Posted in Antitrust, Class actions, Consumer protection, News

Seven major manufacturers of thin-film liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panels used in laptop computers, monitors and televisions agreed to pay $538.6 million to settle antitrust claims brought by indirect purchasers.   The indirect purchaser plaintiffs allege that the defendant companies fixed prices of LCD panels, artificially inflating prices for purchasers of televisions, notebook computers and monitors from 1999 to 2006.  The law firm of Andrus Anderson LLP is among counsel of record for the indirect purchaser plaintiffs in the case, which is currently pending before the Honorable Susan Illston in the Northern District of California.  “The settlement will not only go to compensate consumers who paid more than they would have for these product in a competitive marketplace, but will also go a long way to prevent future price-fixing schemes in the electronics industry,” commented Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson.  The attorneys general of several states, including California, Michigan, Florida and New York, are also part of the settlement agreements with the manufacturers.  The indirect purchase plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed on December 23, 2011 and is currently pending before the court.  Andrus Anderson represents consumers and small businesses in a variety of antitrust and unfair competition matters.  For more information or to report unfair or anticompetitive activity, contact us to speak to an attorney.

Plaintiff Seeks Certification of Nationwide Class of Borrowers

January 12, 2012 at 6:17 pm   »   Posted in Class actions, Consumer protection

On December 9, 2011, Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, lead counsel for plaintiff in Ralston v. Mortgage Investors Group and Countrywide Home Loans Inc., Case No. 08-00536 JF, argued before the District Court for the Northern District of California in support of plaintiff’s motion for class certification.  Plaintiff’s motion seeks certification of a nationwide class of borrowers who purchased certain Pay Option ARM loans, which Plaintiff alleges Countrywide sold through a network of correspondent lenders and similarly deceptive and fraudulent in nature.  For more information about the lawsuit or if you believe you ahve been the victim of a fraudulent lending practice, please contact us to speak to an attorney.

Federal Judge Approves Class Action Settlement To Benefit Current and Prior Owners of Toyota RAV4s

January 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm   »   Posted in Class actions, Defective products

On January 6, 2012, the Honorable Richard Seeborg, District Court Judge for the Northern District of California, granted final approval of a class action settlement which will benefit current and former owners of 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 Vehicles with an automatic transmission.  The lawsuit alleges that the 2001-2003 model Toyota RAV4 Vehicles were equipped with defective Engine Control Modules (“ECMs”), which cause drivers to experience “hard shifting” and ultimately results in the automatic transmission failing prematurely.   “The settlement is an excellent result for consumers,”  said Andrus Anderson partner, Jennie Lee Anderson, who the Court appointed co-lead counsel for plaintiffs and the class in the case.   “It ensures that current and former Vehicle owners will either have their Vehicles repaired under 10-year or 150,000 mile extended warranty program or be fully reimbursed for the costs of prior repairs.”  For further information about the settlement or to file a claim, class members should visit the Toyota RAV4 Class Action Settlement Website.