Case Details

Year Initiated/Committed

2008

Year Resolved

2008

Settlement Amount

$750,000

Court

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Docket Number

08 CV 02977

Lead State

IL, MI, NY

Participating States

IL, MI, NY

Defendant(s)

Herman Miller, Inc.

Case Description

Three states alleged Herman Miller (HMH) sought to raise and maintain retail prices on its “AERON” chairs. According to the complaint, HMH responded to complaints and urging by HMH’s retailers, beginning in 2001, by establishing and announcing minimum prices, below which retailers were prohibited from advertising any HMH furniture. Under HMH’s Suggested Retail Price policy, HMH retailers had to agree with HMH not to advertise below HMH’s dictated prices for Aeron chairs in any medium where prices can be seen by consumers. HMH was enjoined from using the SRP program for two years,and from telling dealers how much to sell their chairs for. HMH paid $750,00 to the plaintiff states.