If you owned a computer with a DVD drive, you might be able to claim some free money. A class action lawsuit filed against major electronics manufacturers is now accepting claims over inflated costs of optical drives in PCs.

The lawsuit, which has been the works for more than seven years, was filed against Sony, NEC, Panasonic and Hitachi-LG. The companies were accused of colluding to inflate the prices of optical drives sold to computer makers and retailers like Dell and HP.

According to the lawsuit, when companies would place orders for optical drives, the companies selling the drives would communicate with one another and coordinate their bids to keep prices as high as possible.

When the Department of Justice investigated the problem, it led to a guilty plea from a Hitatchi-LG executive. The higher up at the Korean electronics company admitted to committing conspiracy and served six months in jail.

The bid rigging practices of major electronics firms hurt customers up front, but a class action hopes to put back some of the cash—up to $10 per drive—that should have never left the pockets of consumers in the first place.

Sony, NEC, Panasonic and Hitachi-LG have agreed to set aside $124.5 million in cash for the settlements. Once lawyer fees are factored in, there will be enough left to pay out to more than 9.3 million claims.

How To Submit A Claim

Owners of a computer with a DVD drive or purchased a standalone DVD drive for a computer, including external drives, may be eligible to make a claim as part of the class-action lawsuit.

If you purchased a computer or standalone drive between April 1, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2008, you may be able to claim up to $10 per drive as part of the settlement. Drives manufactured by Panasonic, Sony, NEC, and Hitachi-LG Data Storage are part of the claim—though Panasonic computers are not covered, just drives made by the company.

All that is required from those who wish to make a claim is name, email address and the number of drives purchased. Proof of purchase isn’t required—at least not at this stage of the proceedings. It is noted in the settlement’s terms and conditions page that lawyers overseeing the case have the “right to request verification” on any claim made.

To make a claim, you must be a resident of one of the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin.

If you do place a claim, don’t expect your money to arrive in the near future. Lawyers are still in the process of trying to get other optical drive manufacturers to agree to pay for their bid rigging and won’t provide payment until the lawsuit is fully settled.

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