32.  Plaintiff brings this action on behalf of itself and as a class action pursuant to Federal Rules  of Civil Procedure 23(a), (b)(2) and (b)(3), on behalf of the members of a Class, which is defined as  follows:   All persons or entities in the United States who purchased Inductors  (including through controlled subsidiaries, agents, affiliates, or joint- ventures) directly from any of the Defendants, their subsidiaries, agents,  affiliates or joint ventures from January 1, 2003 through August 1, 2014  (the “Class Period”).   33.  The Direct Purchaser Class definition encompasses those who purchased Inductors directly  from any of the Defendants, even if the Inductors purchased were manufactured, sold, or distributed by a  given Defendant’s predecessors, parents, business units, subsidiaries, affiliated entities, principals, agents,  or co-conspirators.   34.   This definition of the Direct Purchaser Class specifically excludes the following persons  or entities:  Defendants and their co-conspirators, subsidiaries, agents, and/or affiliates; Defendants’  officers, directors, management, employees, subsidiaries, and/or agents; all governmental entities; and the  Judges and chambers staff in this case, as well as any members of their immediate families.   48.  Inductors (sometimes referred to as chokes or coils) are passive electronic components that  store and regulate energy in a circuit using principles of electromagnetism.    A.  Inductors Generally   A.  Inductors Generally ............................................................................................................11  B.  The Market for Inductors was Strong in 1980s and Most of 1990s ...................................14  C.  International Trade Agreement and Recession Disrupts Inductor Market ........................15  D.  Defendants Turn to Cartel Activity....................................................................................16  E.  Prices of Inductors Defy Economic Forces .......................................................................18  MURATA ELECTRONICS NORTH AMERICA,  INC.; PANASONIC CORPORATION;  PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH  V.  AFFECTED COMMERCE ...........................................................................................................10  VI. 