In 2001 through 2004, several of the world's largest LCD panel manufacturing companies conspired together to fix the pricing of TFT-LCD panels on the market. The panels were then sold to major computer makers like Dell at inflated prices.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been pursuing the companies involved in the conspiracy with legal action. So far, LG and Chunghwa Picture Tubes have pled guilty for their part in the conspiracy and some executives who were directly involved received prison sentences in America.

The DOJ announced that another major LCD manufacturing company has pled guilty for its part in the conspiracy. Hitachi pled guilty to a one-count felony charge and has agreed to pay a $31 million fine.

Scott D. Hammond, Acting Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division said in a statement, "Hitachi joins three other multinational companies who have admitted to their involvement in fixing prices for LCD panels sold to U.S. companies and that have already paid criminal fines totaling more than $585 million. This case should send a strong message to multinational companies operating in the United States that when it comes to enforcing the U.S. antitrust laws we mean business."

According to the DOJ, it has fined participating companies in the conspiracy over $585 million so far and four executives are facing jail time. The DOJ says that Hitachi participated in the price fixing conspiracy by selling Dell TFT-LCD panels from April 1, 2001 until March 31, 2004 at inflated prices. The agreement is still subject to court approval. LG has paid the largest criminal fine so far in the case with a single fine or $400 million, the second largest in antitrust history.

Hitachi was charged with participating in bilateral meetings, conversations, and communications in Japan, Korea, and the U.S. to discuss prices of TFT-LCD panels sold to Dell. The DOJ says that during those meetings Hitachi agreed that prices of the LCDs sold to Dell would not fall below certain levels.