A “film capacitor” is an electronic component used in an electrical circuit in order to store a charge. Film capacitors are found in electronics like smartphones, gaming consoles, home appliances, and televisions, among other products.
The plaintiffs in the Film Capacitors Class Actions allege that a number of companies who sell and manufacture film capacitors participated in an unlawful conspiracy to fix, raise, maintain, increase, or control the price for film capacitors in Canada. The plaintiffs allege that this conspiracy affected prices paid by both direct purchasers of film capacitors, as well as purchasers of products containing film capacitors.
TopYou are a Class Member if you are a Canadian resident and purchased film capacitors1 or products containing film capacitors between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2014 (the “Class Period”).
1Film capacitors are contained in many electronics like smartphones, televisions, gaming consoles, home appliances, among other products. If you purchased electronic products during the class period, you are likely a Class Member.
TopSettlement agreements have now been reached with: Matsuo Electric Co., Ltd. (“Matsuo”), Shizuki Electric Co., Inc. and American Shizuki Corporation (“Shizuki”) and with Rubycon Corporation and Rubycon America Inc. (“Rubycon”).
Matsuo, Shizuki and Rubycon have respectively agreed to pay CAD $25,000, CAD $225,000 and CAD $200,000 for the benefit of Film Settlement Class Members.
In addition, Matsuo, Shizuki and Rubycon have agreed to provide cooperation to the plaintiffs in pursuing their claims against the non-settling defendants. In exchange, they will be provided with a full release of the claims against them in relation to the Class Actions. The settlements are not admissions of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but are compromises of disputed claims.
The Court must now determine whether the settlements are fair, reasonable and in the best interest of Film Settlement Class Members.
Separate motions to approve the settlements are scheduled to be heard at:
● the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on April 22, 2025 at 9:00 am, by virtual hearing (Matsuo, Shizuki and Rubycon settlements); and
● the Supreme Court of British Columbia on May 7, 2025 at 9:00 am PST, by virtual hearing (Shizuki settlement).
If you think you are a Film Settlement Class Member and want to participate in the settlement approval hearing(s), please contact the lawyers working on the Class Actions for instructions and particulars on how to join the hearing.
TopAs the lawsuit is still ongoing and there could be other settlements or a judgment against the other defendants, and potentially more money for Film Settlement Class Members, the settlement funds (less Court approved fees and expenses) will be held in an interest-bearing trust account for the benefit of the Film Settlement Class Members. At a future date, Class Counsel will seek court approval of a plan for paying the results achieved to Film Settlement Class Members. Further notice will be provided to Class Members when the claims process opens.
TopIf you do not want to object to the Matsuo, Shizuki and/or Rubycon settlements and/or Class Counsel’s fee request, you do NOT have to do anything.
If you would like to comment on or object to the Matsuo, Shizuki and/or Rubycon settlements and/or Class Counsel’s fee request then you need to do so by April 21, 2025 - see FAQ #6 to learn what steps to take.
TopIf you wish to comment on or object to the Matsuo, Shizuki and/or Rubycon settlements, and/or Class Counsel’s fee request, you must deliver a written submission to one of the lawyers listed here by April 21, 2025 at the latest.
TopIf you provide Class Counsel with your contact information, we will contact you directly if there is a settlement or judgment. We respect your privacy and will not share your information with others.
You are also welcome to visit this website for updates or contact Class Counsel directly for more information.
TopBelleau Lapointe, s.e.n.c.r.l. represents Film Settlement Class Members in Québec.
CFM Lawyers LLP represents Film Settlement Class Members in British Columbia.
Class Counsel is paid on a contingency basis. This means Class Counsel only receives legal fees if there is an approved settlement or a judgment given by the Court. The Court has to approve Class Counsel’s fees and disbursements. Class Counsel will not receive fees if the case is unsuccessful. Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve legal fees of 25% of the Film settlement amounts at the settlement approval hearings or at a later date. If approved, these amounts may be paid to the lawyers out of the settlement funds at that time.
Top| Nippon Chemi-Con and United Chemi-Con, Inc. (collectively “NCC/UCC”) | CAD $400,000 |
| KEMET Corporation and KEMET Electronics Corporation (collectively “KEMET”) | $325,000 |
| Nichicon Corporation and Nichicon (America) Corporation (collectively “Nichicon”) | CAD $350,000 |
| ROHM Co., Ltd. and ROHM Semiconductor U.S.A., LLC (f/k/a ROHM Electronics U.S.A., LLC) (collectively “ROHM”) | The Film Capacitors Class Action has been dismissed as against ROHM. |
| Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Canada Inc., and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Panasonic”); | CAD $1,350,000 |
| Nitsuko Electronics Corporation (“Nitsuko”); | USD $190,000 |
| Okaya Electric Industries Co., Ltd., and Okaya Electric America, Inc. (collectively, “Okaya”); | CAD $460,000 |
| ELNA Co. Ltd, and ELNA America Inc. (collectively, “ELNA”) | CAD $25,000 |
| Holy Stone Enterprise Co., Ltd., Vishay Polytech Co., Ltd. f/k/a Holy Stone Polytech Co., Ltd., Milestone Global Technology, Inc. d/b/a Holy Stone International, Holy Stone Holdings Co., Ltd., and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., (collectively, “Holy Stone”) | CAD $10,000 |
The settlement funds recovered to date are being held in an interest-bearing trust account for the benefit of Film Settlement Class Members.
The litigation remains ongoing against the non-settling defendants.
The lawyers representing Film Settlement Class Members in the Film Capacitor Class Actions also represent Electrolytic Settlement Class Members in Electrolytic Capacitor Class Actions underway across Canada.
Electrolytic and Film capacitors are used to store energy in electric circuits. They are used in similar types of electronic products, but are made from different materials, in some cases by different manufacturers.
If you are a purchaser of electronic products, you may be a Class Member in both actions, and should inform yourself of important updates in both cases. Please click here for more information on the Electrolytic Capacitors Class Actions.
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