A three-country probe into alleged price fixing is spreading to more liquid crystal display makers.
December 12, 2006 (Press Release) --
Japan's Fair Trading Commission confirmed Tuesday that it is investigating price-fixing claims against South Korea's LG.Philips LCD and Samsung Electronics, as well as against Japan's Sharp.
On Monday, LG.Philips said the U.S. Justice Department and the Korean Fair Trade Commission were also looking into the industry.
A joint venture between Japan's Seiko Epson and Sanyo Electric, which specializes in small LCD screens for mobile phones and digital cameras, is also part of the probes. According to one media report, the investigations could be focused on prices that were in place several years ago.
LG.Philips, a joint venture between LG Electronics and Royal Philips Electronics, vowed to fully cooperate with authorities, as did Samsung.
Analysts said the investigation may focus on actions from some years ago.
A news report from Korean wire service Yonhap speculated that the probe may zero in on suspicions of collusion during 2003-2004, when LCD makers had better control of the market.
"From what we have heard, the investigation may be stemming from a situation two or three years ago when the two companies were selling LCD panels at comparable prices," said Michael Min, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.
LG.Philips was the world's No.1 maker of the large LCD panels used in flat-screen TVs and PC monitors in 2005. But this year it has been overtaken by rival Samsung, which teamed up with Japan's Sony.
On Monday, LG.Philips said the U.S. Justice Department and the Korean Fair Trade Commission were also looking into the industry.
A joint venture between Japan's Seiko Epson and Sanyo Electric, which specializes in small LCD screens for mobile phones and digital cameras, is also part of the probes. According to one media report, the investigations could be focused on prices that were in place several years ago.
LG.Philips, a joint venture between LG Electronics and Royal Philips Electronics, vowed to fully cooperate with authorities, as did Samsung.
Analysts said the investigation may focus on actions from some years ago.
A news report from Korean wire service Yonhap speculated that the probe may zero in on suspicions of collusion during 2003-2004, when LCD makers had better control of the market.
"From what we have heard, the investigation may be stemming from a situation two or three years ago when the two companies were selling LCD panels at comparable prices," said Michael Min, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.
LG.Philips was the world's No.1 maker of the large LCD panels used in flat-screen TVs and PC monitors in 2005. But this year it has been overtaken by rival Samsung, which teamed up with Japan's Sony.
Email
Print
SPAM
LEAVE A COMMENT
