Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
SUPPORT US: store.gamersnexus.net - we currently have a sale on our GN15 mouse mats - store.gamersnexus.net/products/15-yr-mouse-mat and on our Retro IO coaster packs store.gamersnexus.net/products/gn-drink-retro-io-coaster-pack-4-custom-3d-coasters-100x100mm
The makers of hard drive suspension assembly components have, in some countries, been investigated for cartel-like collusion, bid-rigging, and antitrust behavior. The suspension assembly business consolidated into just three companies, and then two, leading to the collapse of a competitive market as the remaining members were shown to collude on prices. Now, an ongoing class action lawsuit seeks answers as it reaches certification and moves to discovery. There are many parallels to the DRAM Cartel that we previously covered; however, hard drives are often overlooked for the SSD industry instead.
Watch also: The DRAM Cartel - youtube.com/watch?v=jVzeHTlWIDY
You can grab our new Wireframe V2 Mouse Mat here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/gn-wireframe-v2-mouse-mat
Or our GN15 Mouse Mat that's on sale here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/15-yr-mouse-mat
Our CPU organization trays are here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/stackable-esd-safe-amd-cpu-tray-holder-am4-am5-6-cpus
And the Medium Modmat is here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/medium-modmat-v2
The best way to support our work is through our store: store.gamersnexus.net
Like our content? Please consider becoming our Patron to support us: patreon.com/gamersnexus
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Japanese Hard Drive Cartel Bust
02:55 - Collusion and Deceit
04:45 - WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
06:31 - History of the Hard Drive
10:13 - The Suspension Assembly
12:02 - INVESTIGATION
14:25 - The Players
18:03 - CONSPIRACY
21:04 - Cartel Shake-Up
23:56 - Eliminating Weaker Members
25:38 - The Cartel Collapse
** Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! **
Links to Amazon and Newegg are typically monetized on our channel (affiliate links) and may return a commission of sales to us from the retailer. This is unrelated to the product manufacturer. Any advertisements or sponsorships are disclosed within the video ("this video is brought to you by") and above the fold in the description. We do not ever produce paid content or "sponsored content" (meaning that the content is our idea and is not funded externally aside from whatever ad placement is in the beginning) and we do not ever charge manufacturers for coverage.
Follow us in these locations for more gaming and hardware updates:
t: twitter.com/gamersnexus
f: facebook.com/gamersnexus
w: gamersnexus.net
Our policies, processes, and ethics statements relating to review samples, advertising, travel, errors, and more are transparently and publicly available on this page: https://gamers.nexus/ethics-statements
Steve Burke: Host, Writing, Video Editing
Vitalii Makhnovets: Video Editing
Tannen Williams: Writing, Research
SUPPORT US: store.gamersnexus.net - we currently have a sale on our GN15 mouse mats - store.gamersnexus.net/products/15-yr-mouse-mat and on our Retro IO coaster packs store.gamersnexus.net/products/gn-drink-retro-io-coaster-pack-4-custom-3d-coasters-100x100mm
The makers of hard drive suspension assembly components have, in some countries, been investigated for cartel-like collusion, bid-rigging, and antitrust behavior. The suspension assembly business consolidated into just three companies, and then two, leading to the collapse of a competitive market as the remaining members were shown to collude on prices. Now, an ongoing class action lawsuit seeks answers as it reaches certification and moves to discovery. There are many parallels to the DRAM Cartel that we previously covered; however, hard drives are often overlooked for the SSD industry instead.
Watch also: The DRAM Cartel - youtube.com/watch?v=jVzeHTlWIDY
You can grab our new Wireframe V2 Mouse Mat here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/gn-wireframe-v2-mouse-mat
Or our GN15 Mouse Mat that's on sale here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/15-yr-mouse-mat
Our CPU organization trays are here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/stackable-esd-safe-amd-cpu-tray-holder-am4-am5-6-cpus
And the Medium Modmat is here: store.gamersnexus.net/products/medium-modmat-v2
The best way to support our work is through our store: store.gamersnexus.net
Like our content? Please consider becoming our Patron to support us: patreon.com/gamersnexus
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Japanese Hard Drive Cartel Bust
02:55 - Collusion and Deceit
04:45 - WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
06:31 - History of the Hard Drive
10:13 - The Suspension Assembly
12:02 - INVESTIGATION
14:25 - The Players
18:03 - CONSPIRACY
21:04 - Cartel Shake-Up
23:56 - Eliminating Weaker Members
25:38 - The Cartel Collapse
** Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! **
Links to Amazon and Newegg are typically monetized on our channel (affiliate links) and may return a commission of sales to us from the retailer. This is unrelated to the product manufacturer. Any advertisements or sponsorships are disclosed within the video ("this video is brought to you by") and above the fold in the description. We do not ever produce paid content or "sponsored content" (meaning that the content is our idea and is not funded externally aside from whatever ad placement is in the beginning) and we do not ever charge manufacturers for coverage.
Follow us in these locations for more gaming and hardware updates:
t: twitter.com/gamersnexus
f: facebook.com/gamersnexus
w: gamersnexus.net
Our policies, processes, and ethics statements relating to review samples, advertising, travel, errors, and more are transparently and publicly available on this page: https://gamers.nexus/ethics-statements
Steve Burke: Host, Writing, Video Editing
Vitalii Makhnovets: Video Editing
Tannen Williams: Writing, Research
