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Nokia sues LCD manufacturers over price fixing

By Stuart Turton

Posted on 1 Dec 2009 at 10:38

Nokia is suing a raft of LCD manufacturers, including Samsung and LG display, accusing them of colluding to inflate the price of mobile phone screens.

In a complaint filed with the US District Court for the Northern District of California, Nokia claims that the world's biggest manufacturers of LCD panels "artificially inflated the price of liquid crystal displays ultimately incorporated into LCD products purchased by Nokia, causing Nokia to pay higher prices."

The suit follows similar allegations made in the same court by AT&T last month, and draws on the findings of a US Justice Department investigation into price-fixing.

That investigation has already led to Hitachi Displays, LG Display, Chunghwa Picture Tubes and Sharp pleading guilty to price fixing and agreeing to pay $585 million in fines each.

All of these companies feature in Nokia's lawsuit, as does Philips Electronics, Tatung and Seiko Epson.

Nokia is seeing "unspecified damages and injunctive relief to remedy damages" - or cash and a court order stopping the companies from doing it again.

Samsung says it will not comment on the story until it's thoroughly reviewed the court documents.

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Natuzzi price fixing - they all seem to be at it

CRESTA FURNITURE COMPLAINS TO OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING ABOUT PRICE FIXING OF NATUZZI FURNITURE

Retailer notifies competition watch-dog about “consumers being ripped-off”

Preston furniture retailer Cresta Furniture Limited has today complained to the Office of Fair Trading that consumers are paying artificially inflated prices for Natuzzi furniture because of unlawful price fixing arrangements operated in the United Kingdom by the Italian furniture manufacturer.

The Office of Fair Trading has been provided with evidence of how Natuzzi took steps to ensure that consumers could not obtain furniture at prices lower than those set by Natuzzi, including a secret recording of a meeting of distributors in Manchester on 9 April 2008 where Natuzzi sought agreement that consumers would not be offered Natuzzi furniture at prices less that the recommended retail price less 20%.

Cresta has also brought a claim against Natuzzi for unlawful price fixing as Natuzzi has tried to stop Cresta selling its furniture at prices lower than those set by Natuzzi. At a hearing in the High Court Mr Justice Briggs remarked to Cresta’s legal advisors “Take it as read that your materials have thus far persuaded me that it is an arguable case that they are trying to force you as a reluctant independent into a price fixing arrangement which they wish to have in place with all their UK distributors…..”

Cresta has distributed Natuzzi furniture for the last seventeen years. “We have always sought to provide our customers with what they want – high quality furniture at the best price” remarked Cresta spokesman Neil Stewart `We believe in the benefits of free competition, price fixing is unlawful, Cresta will not be party to ripping off customers`

The Office of Fair Trading has the power to investigate and fine any company engaging in unlawful price fixing. Consumers who have suffered loss as a result of unlawful price fixing may seek compensation for their loss. “Thousands of consumers may have paid thousands of pounds more than they needed to for the Natuzzi furniture that they have bought. We have asked the Office of Fair Trading to take immediate action to end unlawful price fixing by Natuzzi. Consumers must be protected” remarked Mr.Stewart.

Natuzzi SpA is Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer with a turnover of €660m. Cresta is an independent retailer based in Preston, Lancashire .Natuzzi sells its furniture through Harrods, Selfridges, House Of Fraser, Barker and Stonehouse, Natuzzi owned stores and various other independent retailers.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/natuzzi-
c283566.html