Carbon Brushes and Carbon Collectors
Antitrust Class Action
Introduction
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with co-counsel, represents the City and County of San Francisco in an antitrust class action lawsuit on behalf of all individuals and entities in the United States since January 1, 1990, that purchased carbon brushes and carbon collectors (collectively, "electric carbon products") directly from defendants Morganite, Inc., and The Morgan Crucible Company plc. The lawsuit was filed January 14, 2003, in federal court in San Francisco, California.
Carbon brushes are used to transfer electrical current in direct current motors by acting as the rubbing contacts for electrical connectors in the motors. Automobiles, battery electric vehicles, and public transit vehicles use direct current motors. Vehicles that are not independently powered use carbon collectors to transfer electric current from wires or rails.
Plaintiffs' Allegations
Dating back to January 1, 1990, the City and County of San Francisco alleges that defendants and their co-conspirators conspired to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing the prices of (a) carbon brushes sold to transit authorities sold in the United States and elsewhere; (b) current collectors sold to transit authorities and private customers; (c) carbon brushes sold to original equipment manufacturers for automotive applications; and (d) carbon brushes sold to original equipment manufacturers for battery electric vehicle applications.
Plaintiff alleges that the conspiracy engaged in by defendants and their co-conspirators was an unreasonable restraint of interstate and foreign trade and commerce in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1, and constituted fraudulent concealment.
Contact Lieff Cabraser
Individuals, public agencies and other entities that have purchased carbon brushes and carbon collectors directly from Morganite, Inc., and The Morgan Crucible Company plc that wish to contact a Lieff Cabraser attorney concerning this litigation should click here.
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