Spectrum Scientifics, LLC v. Celestron Acquisition, LLC

I. BACKGROUND

20 A. Factual Background 21 This celestial antitrust action arises from the alleged inflation of telescope prices sold to 22 U.S. telescope distributors and domination of the telescope market. 23 Plaintiffs Aurora Astro Products LLC (“Aurora”) and Pioneer Cycling & Fitness, LLP 24 (“Pioneer”) are Washington and Minnesota independent distributors that sold telescopes in their 25 retail stores. Fourth Am. Compl. (“FAC”), ECF No. 495 ¶¶ 12–13. Plaintiff Jason Steele is a 26 resident of Texas who directly purchased a telescope from Defendant Celestron (collectively, 27 Case No.: 5:20-cv-03642-EJD “Plaintiffs”). Id. ¶ 13. Plaintiffs bring this putative class action on behalf of themselves and a proposed class of direct purchaser plaintiffs (“DPPs”) who purchased telescopes manufactured or sold by Defendants during the time period beginning in 2005 through such time as class notice is given. Id. ¶ 143. DPPs allege antitrust violations arising out of a conspiracy to unlawfully monopolize and fix prices in the telescope market against the following Defendant entities and individuals: (1) Synta Technology Corp. (“Synta”), (2) Suzhou Syntax…