Intel appeals EU antitrust

As expected, Intel on Wednesday appealed the record-setting 1.06 billion Euro antitrust fine it recently received from the European Union. The appeal was made in a Luxembourg court, according to a company spokesperson response to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required). The fine was ordered in May, when the EU's antitrust regulator ruled that Intel was offering rebates to computer makers that encouraged them to stop buying a large amount of chips from rival AMD, among other anticompetitive practices.

Intel spokesperson Robert Manetta said the company believes the EU's "decision is wrong" and "ignores the reality that the microprocessor market is highly competitive," which mirrors a statement made earlier by Intel chief Paul Otellini. What arguments Intel will use in its appeal aren't clear, as EU laws keep court files and briefs private.

Intel has previously argued that because AMD is the only other major processor maker in Europe, it is only logical that a success from one company will result in a loss for the other. It has denied claims that it deliberately tried to price AMD out of the market with below-cost chips and has accused the Commission's competition directorate of purposely not seeking evidence to support Intel's arguments.

A ruling on the appeal is not expected to take place until at least a year in the future.

By Electronista Staff