Panasonic Optical Disc Drive Class Action Lawsuit Claimants Urged to Register for Updates

Consumers may now register in a $1.65 million Panasonic optical disc drive class action settlement certified in December.

Canada residents who purchased an optical disc drive or products such as computers, video game consoles, laptops, or Blu-ray players may be eligible to claim compensation.

Consumers are advised to keep records of their purchases of optical disc drives or products containing the drives between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2010. Such documentation could include invoices, receipts, or bank statements.

Consumers in British Columbia who are interested in making a future claim also should visit CFM Lawyers’ website to receive updates on the case. Quebec consumers should register with the Siskinds Law Firm. Consumers may also get more information on joining the class action by filling out Consumer Law Group’s form.

Registering at this point does not entitle consumers to an award. Claim forms will need to be filed separately after the Court approves the settlement.

Class Members have been divided into two categories:

• Non-Umbrella Purchasers: Canada residents who purchased optical disc drives manufactured or supplied by the defendants, or products containing an optical disc drive that was manufactured or supplied by the defendants, between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 1, 2010. 
• Umbrella Purchasers: Canada residents who purchased optical disc drives not manufactured or supplied by the defendants, or products containing optical disc drives not manufactured or supplied by the defendants during the same period.

An optical disc drive reads data from or writes data to an optical disc, such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray. 

Items such as video game consoles and computers contain optical disc drives.

Consumers who file claims without proof of purchase are expected to receive the minimum payment of $20.

Consumers filing claims with documentation will be compensated on a proportionate basis, with the amount based on the value of the claimant’s “Notional Entitlement” as against the value of all Class Members’ Notional Entitlement. More information on the calculation of Notional Entitlements is available on page four of the settlement notice.

Class Members who purchased products containing optical disc drives are expected to be compensated at the following fixed amounts:

• Laptops and desktop computers: $25
• Gaming systems (not including Sony PlayStation 3): $25
• External CD and DVD drives: $25
• Sony PlayStation 3: $70
• External Blu-ray drives: $70

The class action lawsuit named several manufacturers: BenQ, HLDS, NEC, Panasonic, Pioneer, PLDS, Quanta, Sony, and TEAC.

The most recent settlement involves Panasonic.

The Supreme Court of British Columbia late last year certified the settlement, which resolved allegations of price fixing among optical disc drive manufacturers.

Class action lawsuits in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec alleged the defendants conspired to fix optical disc drive prices.

The plaintiffs asked the Court to require the companies to return money they made due to the alleged conspiracy.

Previous settlements regarding the alleged optical disc drive price-fixing conspiracy have been reached with Hitachi-LG Data Storage Inc., NEC Corp., Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions Corp., TEAC Corp., Toshiba Corp., and Sony Corp.

Courts in British Columbia and Quebec still have to grant final approval to the settlement.

The final hearing in British Columbia will take place March 12, 2021, and the Quebec hearing is scheduled for April 7, 2021.

The deadline to object to this optical disc drive settlement is March 8, 2021.

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