If You Bought Electronics Such as a Portable Computer, Power Tool, Camcorder and/or Other Items Containing a Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery Since 2000 You Could Get Money From $44.95 Million in Settlements

OAKLAND, Calif., April 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP regarding the Lithium Ion Batteries Antitrust Litigation.

LG Chem, Ltd. and LG Chem America, Inc. ("LG Chem"), Hitachi Maxell Ltd. and Maxell Corporation of America ("Hitachi Maxell"), and NEC Corporation ("NEC"), or collectively "the Settling Defendants," have agreed to settlements resolving claims that they allegedly fixed the price of cylindrical Lithium Ion Battery Cells. This may have caused individuals and businesses to pay more for the following products which contained Lithium-Ion Cylindrical Batteries: (i) portable computers; (ii) power tools; (iii) camcorders; or (iv) a replacement battery for any of these products.

Am I Included?
You may be included if, as a resident of the United States and during the period from January 1, 2000 through May 31, 2011, you indirectly purchased new for your own use and not for resale one of the following products which contained a lithium-ion cylindrical battery manufactured by one or more Defendants in this lawsuit or their co-conspirators: (i) a portable computer; (ii) a power tool; (iii) a camcorder; or (iv) a replacement battery for any of these products. "Indirectly" means the product was purchased from someone other than the manufacturer, such as a retail store. A more detailed notice, which includes additional information about the settlements, is available at www.reversethecharge.com.

What do the Settlements provide?
The LG Chem Settlement provides for the payment of $39,000,000 in cash to the Class. The Hitachi Maxell settlement provides for the payment of $3,450,000. The NEC settlement provides for the payment of $2,500,000. The Settling Defendants have also agreed to cooperate in the pursuit of the litigation.  Previously, notice was provided about a settlement reached with Sony Corporation, Sony Energy Devices Corporation, and Sony Electronics Inc. (collectively "Sony") for $19,500,000. Below, there is information about how to receive benefits from the Sony settlement.

How can I get a payment and how much will I receive?
At this time, it is unknown how much each Class Member who submits a valid claim will receive from the LG Chem, Hitachi Maxell, and NEC Settlements. Payments will be based on a number of factors, including the number of valid claims filed by all Class Members and each Class Member's number of purchase(s) of the products described above, in proportion to the total claims filed and products purchased. No matter how many claims are filed, no money will be returned to the Settling Defendants once the Court finally approves the settlements. 

The claims period for the Sony settlement will be opened up and occur during the same time period as the claims period for the LG Chem, Hitachi Maxell, and NEC settlements. Payments to Class Members from the Sony settlement will be based on a number of factors, including the number of valid claims filed by all members of the Sony Class and each Class Member's number of purchase(s) of laptop PCs, notebook PCs, netbook computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, smart phones, cameras, camcorders, digital video cameras, digital audio players, power tools, or a replacement battery for any of these products, in proportion to the total claims filed and products purchased. No matter how many claims are filed, no money will be returned to Sony once the Court finally approves the Settlement. 

To make a claim and get payment from any of these settlements, you will need to file a valid claim form online or by mail by September 30, 2017. The simple online claim form only takes 3-5 minutes for most individuals to complete. You will find the claim form at www.reversethecharge.com. Claims may be submitted online at www.reversethecharge.com or by mail to Lithium Batteries Indirect Purchaser Settlements, c/o KCC Class Action Services, P.O. Box 43454, Providence, RI 02940-3454. 

No money will be distributed yet. The lawyers for the Plaintiffs will continue to pursue the lawsuit against the Non-Settling Defendants. All settlement funds that remain after payment of the Courtordered attorneys' fees, service awards, costs, and expenses will be distributed at the conclusion of the lawsuit or as ordered by the Court.

If you want to receive notice about the claims process or future settlements, you should register at www.reversethecharge.com.

What are my rights?
Even if you do nothing, you will be bound by the Court's decisions concerning these Settlements.  If you want to keep your right to sue the Settling Defendants regarding Lithium Ion Battery and/or Lithium Ion Battery Product purchases, you must exclude yourself in writing from the Class by June 12, 2017. If you stay in the Class, you may object in writing to the Settlements by June 12, 2017. The Settlement Agreements, along with details on how to exclude yourself or object, is available at www.reversethecharge.com. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will hold a hearing on August 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., at 1301 Clay Street, Courtroom 1, 4th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612 to consider whether to approve the Settlements. Class Counsel will also request at the hearing, or at a later date, attorneys' fees of up to 30% of the settlement funds, plus reimbursement of costs and expenses, for investigating the facts, litigating the case, and negotiating the settlements. Class Counsel also will request service awards for Class Representatives in the amount of $1,500 each. You or your own lawyer may appear and speak at the hearing at your own expense, but you are not required to appear. The hearing may be moved to a different date or time without additional notice, so it is a good idea to check the website for additional information. Please do not contact the Court about this case.

If the case against the other Defendants is not dismissed or settled, Class Counsel will have to prove their claims against the other Defendants at trial. Dates for the trial have not yet been set. The Court has appointed the law firms of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP; Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP; and Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP as Class Counsel, to represent Indirect Purchaser Class members.

For More Information: 1-855-730-8645 / www.reversethecharge.com

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP