EU files extra complaints against Intel
updated 03:25 pm EDT, Thu July 17, 2008
EU Charges Intel Again
The European Union's European Commission on Thursday filed its previously rumored additional complaints about Intel's practices. The Statement of Objections argues that Intel offered discounts to European resellers in exchange for either delaying, limiting, or completely eliminating AMD-based systems from their lineup. This unfairly prevented AMD from getting a foothold in the market, the Commission says.
The regulatory body also contends that the complaint gains weight through earlier accusations leveled against Intel, which include assertions that it knowingly priced chips below what AMD could reasonably offer. These paint the picture of a concerted effort to exclude AMD from Europe, the Commission says.
Intel has until July 25th to respond and may face fines as steep as 10 percent of its yearly income if the complaint stands. No formal responses have been made to the complaint, though the semiconductor firm has routinely insisted that all its practices were within the law.
The South Korean government has already found Intel responsible for similar practices in its own country and fined the American company $25.4 million last month.
