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 were 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 were 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 approved the settlements as fair, reasonable and in the best interest of Film Settlement Class Members.
If you think you are a Film Settlement Class Member there is nothing you need to do at this time. Settlement money will not be distributed now, as the case is still ongoing against the non-settling defendants.
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) are being 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.
TopAll settlements reached to date have been approved by the Courts and you do not have to do anything at this time.
TopThe deadline to comment on or object to the Matsuo, Shizuki and/or Rubycon settlements, and/or Class Counsel’s fee request, was April 21, 2025. The Courts have approved the Matsuo, Shizuki and Rubycon settlements and Class Counsel’s fees and it is no longer possible to comment or object to the settlements or fee request.
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.
TopForeman & Company represents Film Settlement Class Members in Ontario and in all provinces other than British Columbia and Québec.
Belleau 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. Approved fees and disbursements are paid to the lawyers out of the settlement or judgement funds at that time.
TopIn addition to the Matsuo, Shizuki and Rubycon settlements, prior settlements were also reached with the following defendants in the amounts of:
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Nippon Chemi-Con and United Chemi-Con, Inc. (collectively, “NCC/UCC”) |
CAD $400,000 |
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KEMET Corporation and KEMET Electronics Corporation (collectively, “KEMET”) |
CAD $325,000 |
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Nichicon Corporation and Nichicon (America) Corporation (collectively, “Nichicon”) |
CAD $350,000 |
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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. |
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Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Canada Inc. and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Panasonic”) |
CAD $1,350,000 |
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Nitsuko Electronics Corporation (“Nitsuko”) |
USD $190,000 |
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Okaya Electric Industries Co., Ltd. and Okaya Electric America, Inc. (collectively, “Okaya”) |
CAD $460,000 |
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ELNA Co., Ltd. and ELNA America, Inc. (collectively, “ELNA”) |
CAD $25,000 |
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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.
TopThe 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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