While the European Commission did not release any specific names when it confirmed that it had filed charges aginst several companies for price fixing, Japanese electronics company Sony later came forward and admitted to being part of the group. The investigation accused the companies of engaging in antitrust activity by being part of a cartel for professional videotape products, which restricted market competition.

The charges came after inspections performed in 2002, and could mean hefty fines for the companies involved. EU penalties for antitrust activity can reach up to 10 percent of a company’s global turnover for the year.