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DRAM computer chips: Oregonians eligible for refunds as part of $310 million antitrust settlement [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. :: ](Oregonian (Portland, OR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) March 04--Did you buy a computer, printer, video-game console, personal digital assistant or digital video recorder between 1998 and 2002? How about an MP3 or DVD player? Take the time to think back -- it could mean $10 per device today. The Oregon Attorney General was among 34 states that reached a settlement with several companies facing allegations they had fixed prices on memory chips they manufactured that were commonly used in consumer tech products. Major manufacturers of Dynamic Random Access Memory computer chips or DRAM, which were also sold independently, agreed to pay out as much as $310 million to consumers in refunds. Consumers who bought those products -- as well as others -- must file claim forms by Aug. 1, 2014. File a claim online or by calling 1-800-589-1425. Refund amounts can vary based on the type and quantity of devices they purchased, as well as the number of consumers in those other states who make claims. Pay-outs are expected to be at least $10, according to the Oregon Attorney General's Office. "I encourage Oregonians to submit claims for amounts they may have overpaid because of this alleged price-fixing scheme," said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. Universities, colleges and state and local governments that bought DRAM products during the same time period will receive separate notice about their refunds. Named defendants include: Elpida Memory, Inc., Elpida Memory (USA), Inc. ("Elpida") Hitachi, Ltd. ("Hitachi") Hynix Semiconductor Inc., Hynix Semiconductor America Inc., presently known as SK hynix Inc. and SK hynix America Inc. ("Hynix") Infineon Technologies AG, Infineon Technologies North America Corp. ("Infineon") Micron Technology, Inc., Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc. ("Micron") Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. ("Mitsubishi") Mosel-Vitelic Corp., Mosel-Vitelic (USA), Inc. ("Mosel") Nanya Technology Corp., Nanya Technology Corp. USA, Inc. ("Nanya") NEC Electronics America, Inc., presently known as Renesas Electronics America, Inc. ("NEC") Samsung Electronics Company Ltd.; Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. ("Samsung") Toshiba Corp., Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. ("Toshiba") Winbond Electronics Corp., Winbond Electronics Corporation America, Inc. ("Winbond") -- Laura Gunderson ___ (c)2014 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at www.oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |