On June 5, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a judgment for $ million in favor of HP, Inc. The case arose from a long-standing dispute between HP and Taiwanese disc drive maker Quanta Storage, Inc. over a price-fixing conspiracy that resulted in federal criminal convictions and provoked employees of Quanta to invoke their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. This antitrust judgment, one of the largest civil judgments ever affirmed by the Fifth Circuit, has been widely covered in media outlets across the globe and sends a powerful message to conspirators who violate U.S. antitrust laws.
As with any case, it’s the story, not merely the decision that truly captivates. This presentation, told by the trial and appellate lawyers themselves, will walk participants through the story of Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Quanta Storage, Inc., beginning with the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the optical disc drive industry, through notable milestones in HP’s lawsuit – including the MDL proceedings, a summary judgment ruling on the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act, settlements with the other defendants, the jury trial, the appeal, and the ultimate settlement. Focused on lessons learned and key takeaways, trial, appellate, and in-house counsel alike will walk away with useful insights, compelling legal themes and a fascinating story told from those in the trenches in a high-profile area of antitrust law.