Customized Silicone Wristband Makers Accused of Colluding to Fix Pricing

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action has been filed against a group of companies that manufacture and sell customized promotional items claiming they engaged in anticompetitive behavior and conspired to fix the prices of their products. The following defendants have been named in the lawsuit:

• Zaappaaz, Inc. (which does business as WB Promotions, Inc., Wrist-Band.com, and Customlanyard.net) and its president;
• Custom Wristbands Inc. (which does business as Kulayful Silicon Bracelets, Kulayful.com, Speedywristbands.com, Promotionalbands.com, Wristbandcreation.com, and 1inchbracelets.com) and its owner;
• Netbrands Media Corp. (which does business as 24hourwristbands.com and imprint.com) and its president;
• Casad Company (which does business as Totally Promotional); and
• Brandeco, LLC (which does business as brandnex.com) and its CEO

 

The suit arises out of an investigation performed by the Department of Justice that resulted in several of the defendants pleading guilty to anticompetitive behavior. According to the case, the defendants conspired in text messages, online messaging platforms, and in-person meetings to raise the prices of their silicone wristbands, lanyards, and pin buttons. From the complaint:

"The anticompetitive conduct described in this Complaint enabled Defendants to maintain prices above competitive levels, to the detriment of Plaintiff and other [proposed class members]. This harm to the Plaintiff and [proposed class members], in the form of paying artificially inflated prices for Customized Promotional Products, constitutes cognizable antitrust injury and harm to competition under the antitrust laws."