The sentences handed down Thursday are among the harshest penalties ever given in an antitrust criminal case.
Still, the U.S. Department of Justice complained the punishment was not enough. Federal prosecutors demanded a $1 billion fine and a 10-year prison sentence for the executives.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said she rejected the demand because A.U. Optronics has already paid out millions to settle a class-action lawsuit and still faced other lawsuits around the world.
And she said the executives didn't deserve lengthier sentences.
