Consumer Alert
Illinois consumers must file claims by Aug. 1 in $310 million settlement over DRAM price fixing
Consumers who purchased computers, printers, video game consoles, electronic devices with DRAM memory chips may benefit from settlement

[July 14, 2014]  CHICAGO - Illinois consumers have until August 1 to claim money they may have overpaid on purchases of computers, printers, game consoles and other electronics that contained DRAM, or dynamic random access memory, as part of a $310 million dollar settlement with manufacturers.

Many Illinois businesses or consumers who purchased computers and other electronic devices from 1998 to 2002 could benefit under the settlement. The settlement provides restitution for people who purchased DRAM or devices containing DRAM in that time period from someone other than a DRAM manufacturer, including retailers such as Best Buy or Staples. DRAM is a common form of memory chip found in computers and other devices, including printers, gaming machines and MP3 players.

Claims can be filed online at www.DRAMclaims.com  The deadline to file claims is August 1, 2014. More information about the settlement is available by visiting www.DRAMclaims.com  calling a toll-free hotline at 1-800-589-1425 or emailing [e-mail]

Consumers or businesses that purchased the following items between 1998 and 2002 are eligible to make a claim: Desktop and laptop computers, computer servers, computer graphics cards, printers, video game consoles, MP3 players, PDAs, DVD players, digital video recorders, and other technology devices that contained DRAM memory.

Following an investigation, Illinois and other states filed antitrust lawsuits in federal court alleging that consumers overpaid for electronic devices containing DRAM after the DRAM manufacturers conspired to artificially raise the price of its chips from 1998 to 2002.

In addition to monetary relief, the settlement also requires DRAM manufacturers to implement antitrust compliance programs and prohibits them from certain conduct related to the sale of DRAM that would violate the antitrust laws.

Payments from the settlement will be made after the court has granted final approval of the settlements, including the resolution of any appeals.

[Text received; OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN]