Wednesday, July 25th 2012

European Commission Goes After 13 Optical Drive Makers for Price-Fixing

Optical disc drives are components buyers are least bothered about, when purchasing parts to build a PC, or replace a broken one. The EU's regulators have found something fishy even with companies making these roughly-20€ PC components. According to the European Commission (EC), 13 optical disc drive vendors may have conspired to fix prices of their products on a global scale, and that affects European consumers, as well.

The EC is investigating 13 drive suppliers, and 2 major PC OEMs (pre-built PC vendors), for conducting and participating in what is known as bid rigging scheme, a serious antitrust violation. In bid rigging schemes, the bidders and contractees conspire to rig their prices so that a particular supplier wins the bid. Penalties for such a violation include 10% of worldwide turnover set as fines.
Source: Maximum PC
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21 Comments on European Commission Goes After 13 Optical Drive Makers for Price-Fixing

#2
LAN_deRf_HA
Is this just for bluray drives or are dvd burners about to hit $10?
Posted on Reply
#3
imitation
Did y'all know that, at least in Germany, 10.68€ of those 20€ are fees that the "VG Bild" gets? So after taxes and reseller profits, the actual (import) price of the drive is more like 5€ - i don't think that that even qualifies for price fixing accusations.
Posted on Reply
#4
Bo$$
Lab Extraordinaire
it's nice how we as customers get ripped off with price fixing scams but the government will take and keep the fines.... Fucking awesome idea not like they got raped.

I want MY share of the 10% turnover fines!!
Posted on Reply
#5
Shou Miko
i hope justice will be made and we will get cheaper Blu-Ray drives across the world ^^
Posted on Reply
#6
qubit
Overclocked quantum bit
I don't see how a group of large and powerful companies could come together to fix prices?
Posted on Reply
#8
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
The EU is sniffing out someone else to extort because, apparently, the Intel and Microsoft money ran out.
Posted on Reply
#9
Bo$$
Lab Extraordinaire
FordGT90ConceptThe EU is sniffing out someone else to extort because, apparently, the Intel and Microsoft money ran out.
Investigative fixing :D

Intels new investment :P
Posted on Reply
#10
DigitalUK
ive always thought optical drives are very reasonable except blu ray which doesnt seem to move much (sony owns patient), im sure the harddrive manufacurers will soon follow next.
Posted on Reply
#12
largon
To the trolls:
Nah, the EU is doing just fine. Except for those few select corrupt southern parts, we others for some reason are obliged to uphold.
Now let's all thank US' beloved & oh so unregulated* economy for this economical crisis.
->
Thankyouverymuch!


*regulation is a good thing, you know
Posted on Reply
#13
adrianx
kill that MFK that fix the price...
Posted on Reply
#14
Sasqui
LAN_deRf_HAIs this just for bluray drives or are dvd burners about to hit $10?
DVD burners are rediculously cheap as it is, last ones I bought were less than $20 each.

Suspect it's Poo-Ray, and I'm sure Sony has a hand in it too.
Posted on Reply
#15
TheMailMan78
Big Member
largonTo the trolls:
Nah, the EU is doing just fine. Except for those few select corrupt southern parts, we others for some reason are obliged to uphold.
Now let's all thank US' beloved & oh so unregulated* economy for this economical crisis.
->
Thankyouverymuch!


*regulation is a good thing, you know
lol Our housing market collapsed your economy? Sound pretty weak to me if a foreclosed condo can cripple an international economy.
Posted on Reply
#16
largon
Time for you to start reading about the matter (and possibly stop watching FOX News.)
Posted on Reply
#17
reverze
perfect, more money to spend on wellfare. We need to find more targets.
Posted on Reply
#18
ironwolf
Wow, any major sector of the IT industry that has *not* gotten their nutz in a vice by someone over price-fixing? :eek:
Posted on Reply
#19
Melvis
interesting, not that i care as there cheap enough as it is, and will fade out anyway, so meh
Posted on Reply
#20
pantherx12
Is this why a basic one has been £15 for like ... well 5 years or something now?
Posted on Reply
#21
Teiji
Pretty sure Blu-ray are consider optical drives too. So we might see cheaper Blu-ray drives soon! Wooooooo
Posted on Reply
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