Six TV makers charged with creating CRT cartel

The European Commission (EC) has accused six TV and monitor companies of running a cartel in the cathode-ray tube (CRT) market, charging the companies after a two-year long investigation.

The companies in question are Philips, LG Electronics, Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Matsushita, Samsung and Toshiba.

The complaint is that the manufacturers colluded in an effort to keep CRT screen prices artificially high in the midst of falling demand. CRT TVs and monitors have almost completely left the market, at least in western Europe, and the Japanese and North American markets, replaced by thinner LCD sets.

However, the CRT sets are "still widely used in Southern and Eastern Europe, especially for TVs," as well as "still made for a couple of emerging markets," says EC spokesperson Jonathan Todd, via CW.

If found guilty, the companies could face giant fines in Europe (up to 10 percent of global annual revenue) and those involved could face criminal trials in the United States alongside fines.

"Action is necessary in order to punish the companies involved for past cartel abuse and to dissuade future cartel activity," Todd added.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 30 Nov 2009 10:42

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8 comments

slickwill

Well what else would one expect the companies to do in a monetary driven world. There must have been tons of CRT inventory that wasn't getting sold b/c people were buying more LCD type displays/tv's, so they had to do something about the unsold merchandise.

30.11.2009 11:27 #1

DXR88

Raising the price on CRTs to drive LCD sales. is this not normal business tactics, if its not then there are about 50 more that need to be on that list

30.11.2009 11:58 #2

KillerBug

They should be charged with crimes just for selling those energy waisting, lead-filled boxes. If the goal of the higher prices is to kill off this obsilite crap, then more power to them.

1.12.2009 00:17 #3

DXR88

Originally posted by KillerBug: They should be charged with crimes just for selling those energy waisting, lead-filled boxes. If the goal of the higher prices is to kill off this obsilite crap, then more power to them.How dare you i happen to like my toasty nay Crispy CRT Monitor Blacker Blacks Brighter colors and better refresh rates.. oh wait that's right LCD is like an expensive colored Etch A Sketch, don't shake to hard you'll wash out all that color.

1.12.2009 00:25 #4

ZippyDSM

1.12.2009 00:43 #5

KillerBug

Quote:Originally posted by KillerBug: They should be charged with crimes just for selling those energy waisting, lead-filled boxes. If the goal of the higher prices is to kill off this obsilite crap, then more power to them.How dare you i happen to like my toasty nay Crispy CRT Monitor Blacker Blacks Brighter colors and better refresh rates.. oh wait that's right LCD is like an expensive colored Etch A Sketch, don't shake to hard you'll wash out all that color.I know there are some crummy LCDs that don't have good colors, but this is not the standard. The blacks on my cheap Acer LCD screens are far better than the blacks on my old LG Tube monitor, the colors are more accurate, and the picture is more "solid"...if I look at a CRT TV, I can see the interlacing...not so with a LCD. The best video connections are all digital...if I plug my LCD in by the analog port, the black is no longer black, so why would you want an analog screen?

2.12.2009 00:08 #6

DXR88

Quote:Quote:Originally posted by KillerBug: They should be charged with crimes just for selling those energy waisting, lead-filled boxes. If the goal of the higher prices is to kill off this obsilite crap, then more power to them.How dare you i happen to like my toasty nay Crispy CRT Monitor Blacker Blacks Brighter colors and better refresh rates.. oh wait that's right LCD is like an expensive colored Etch A Sketch, don't shake to hard you'll wash out all that color.I know there are some crummy LCDs that don't have good colors, but this is not the standard. The blacks on my cheap Acer LCD screens are far better than the blacks on my old LG Tube monitor, the colors are more accurate, and the picture is more "solid"...if I look at a CRT TV, I can see the interlacing...not so with a LCD. The best video connections are all digital...if I plug my LCD in by the analog port, the black is no longer black, so why would you want an analog screen?for the same reason people still want LP's. finding a cheap Well made PC LCD screen is like finding a .50 BMG round in the sporting goods section, why would you hunt with a anti materiel rifle is beyond me.

CRTs are my personnel preference, i have had bad luck with LCDs. i may try OLED. whenever they become popular

2.12.2009 03:09 #7

KillerBug

Originally posted by DXR88: why would you hunt with a anti materiel rifle is beyond me.A .50 is a great comfort in bear country...even if you are not hunting. However, if you want to drop a dear from a mile away, competition grade .50 BMG rounds are a good choice...the longest confirmed kill in combat history was made with a McMillan Tac-50...the rabits won't have a chance!

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2.12.2009 05:26 #8

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