A proposed national class action lawsuit settlement totalling $8.925 million has been reached, and Canadians could claim part of it if it’s approved.
According to a news release from law firms Foreman & Company, CFM Lawyers LLP, and Belleau Lapointe, the class action alleges price fixing and related conduct. The lawsuit was filed against Matsuo Electric Co., Ltd. (Matsuo), Rubycon Corporation and Rubycon America Inc. (Rubycon), and Shizuki Electric Co., Inc. and American Shizuki Corporation (Shizuki), all of whom have agreed to a settlement.
The class-action lawsuit includes Canadians who bought aluminum and tantalum electrolytic capacitors and/or film capacitors and products containing aluminum and tantalum electrolytic capacitors and/or film capacitors.
“An ‘electrolytic capacitor’ and a ‘film capacitor’ are two types of electronic components used in an electrical circuit to store a charge,” reads the release. “They are found in electronics such as smartphones, gaming consoles, home appliances, and televisions, among other electronic products.”
Are you eligible?
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The lawsuit has been divided into two categories: the film capacitor and the electrolytic capacitor class actions.
To be eligible for a claim, you must have purchased an aluminum or tantalum electrolytic capacitor or a product containing an aluminum or tantalum electrolytic capacitor between Sept. 1, 1997, and Dec. 31, 2014. Alternatively, you must have bought a film capacitor or a product that contains a film capacitor between Jan. 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2014.
How much can you receive?
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To compensate class members in both categories, Matsuo has agreed to pay $1.2 million, Rubycon has agreed to pay $7.5 million, and Shizuki has agreed to pay $225,000. However, it should be noted that settlements aren’t admissions of liability, fault, or wrongdoing but are compromises of disputed claims.
Currently, the settlement has yet to be approved by the courts to become effective, and other settlements may be reached before the amounts are distributed to class members.
A notice will be issued once the settlement and plan of distribution is approved. More information about the class action can be found on the Canadian Capacitor Class Actions website.
A similar class-action lawsuit is ongoing.
In 2023, Rohm, Fujitsu, Kemet, Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation, and United Chemi-Con, Inc. (NCC/UCC) collectively agreed to pay a $42,165,000 settlement in a lawsuit alleging price-fixing and related conduct. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Canadians who bought electrolytic and film capacitors and products containing electrolytic and film capacitors.