Toshiba and Hitachi are under investigation too

TOSHIBA AND HITACHI will see their optical device divisions investigated regarding antitrust issues.

The US Department of Justice has announced that Toshiba and Hitachi are next to be probed regarding their optical disc drive businesses, Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology and Hitachi-LG Data Storage, respectively.

Sony's Optiarc America US business unit was subpoenaed yesterday, although details of the case are unknown.

Like Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi are not saying what products are under investigation. However the rumour mill suggests it has something to do with Blu-ray, with people speculating that it's about the high Blu-ray prices. That would seem to suggest that there might be optical drive price-fixing allegations forthcoming.

Hitachi and Toshiba officials have noted that their companies will comply with the investigations.

The trio of companies collectively accounts for some 60 per cent of the optical drive market, according to analyst statistics.

It could be some time before specifics of the investigations will be announced. µ