The European Commission is hitting six LCD companies with a fine that adds up to $857 million for price-fixing. The 6 companies being hit with the fines are Samsung, LG, AU Optronics, Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Chimei InnoLux, and HannStar Display. These companies operated a cartel between October 2001 and February 2006.

Electronics company Hitachi will be paying $31 million in fines to settle a role in a conspiracy involving selling fixed prices of LCD display panels to Dell.  Hitachi Displays committed the act along with LG, Chunghwa, and Sharp.  Between the period of April 1, 2001 and March 31, 2004 – Hitachi met with companies in Japan, Korea, and the U.S. to discuss prices for LCDs.  Hitachi also agreed to cooperate with further investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice.

This past December LG was found guilty for conspiracy and had to pay $400 million.  This is the second largest fine every imposed by the Antitrust Division.  Executives from LG and Chunghwa also had to serve time for between 6 and 9 months along with paying a fine.  About $585 million in criminal fines have been made against all of the companies involved.

[via PCW]