Dell accuses LCD makers of pricing-fixing cartel

Dell has filed a lawsuit against Epson, Hitachi, Sharp, Toshiba and HannStar, charging them with colluding to fix prices for products.

"We're seeking to recover money collected for LCD panels that were purchased at artificially inflated prices, set through what we believe was an unlawful collaboration," he said.

Dell hasn't specified how much money it hopes to be awarded in the case. The computer maker is seeking a jury trial, Frink said

The five vendors, all based in Asia, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

Several LCD vendors have already pleaded guilty to price-fixing in an investigation by the US Department of Justice. Those admissions have resulted in fines of more than $860 million.

In December Nokia sued a group of display makers for alleged price fixing, and the European Commission has launched a similar investigation to that of the DOJ.