Class Action

Class Action Defense Cases–In re Sony: Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) Grants Defense Motion To Centralize Class Action Litigation In Eastern District Of New York

By Michael J. Hassen

Judicial Panel Grants Defense Request for Pretrial Coordination of Class Action Lawsuits Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. — 1407, Unopposed by Class Action Plaintiffs, and Transfers Class Actions to Eastern District of New York

Seven class actions – five in the Southern District of New York, and one each in the Eastern District of New York and Eastern District of Texas – were filed against various Sony entities “arising from the performance of the ‘optical block’ of second generation Sony WEGA SXRD rear projection HDTV televisions.” In re Sony Corp. SXRD Rear Projection Television Marketing, Sales Practices & Products Liab. Litig., ___ F.Supp.2d ___ (Jud.Pan.Mult.Lit. October 9, 2009) [Slip Opn., at 1]. According to the allegations under the class actions, “this major component of the subject televisions is inherently defective, causing yellow stains, green haze and other color anomalies that interfere with the television’s display.” Id. Defense attorneys for Sony Corp. of America, Sony Electronics Inc., and Sony Corp. filed a motion with the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) requesting centralization of the class actions pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407 in the Eastern District of New York or, alternatively, in the Southern District of California. Id. None of the class action plaintiffs opposed Sony’s motion or opposed transfer of the class actions to the Eastern District of New York. Id. The Judicial Panel granted Sony’s motion and agreed that the Eastern District of New York was the appropriate transferee court, id., at 1-2. Accordingly, the Panel transferred all class actions pending outside of the Eastern District of New York to that district. Id., at 2.

Full post as published by Class Action Defense Blog on December 11, 2009 (boomark / email).