Intel gets boost from top EU court adviser who says its $1.16 billion fine should be reviewed

[midian182]

Back in 2009, the European Commission hit Intel with a $1.45 billion fine for violating Europe’s antitrust laws. The chipmaker appealed the decision in the hope of escaping the costly punishment, or at least see it reduced. But the courts refused in 2014. Now, the views of a top EU court adviser is giving Intel’s battle a boost.

Advocate General Nils Wahl offered the opinion that the EU General Court’s dismissal of Intel’s appeal was the wrong decision, and that the case should be heard again.

"Intel's appeal against the imposition of a 1.06 billion euro fine for abuse of its dominant position should be upheld. The case should be referred back to the General Court for a fresh review," Wahl said in a non-binding recommendation.

Between 2002 and 2007, Intel gave rebates to tech firms such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo, and paid a German retailer, Media Saturn, to stock only Intel-based PCs. The EU courts said this was anticompetitive and “a strategy aimed at foreclosing a competitor, AMD, from the market for x86 CPU microprocessors."

Nils said that the rebates did not prevent the companies from buying processors from Intel rivals such as AMD, which brought the original complaint in 2000. He added that the court had failed to establish how Intel’s actions had harmed competition in the EU.

A ruling from The Court of Justice of the European Union is expected in the coming months. Should it agree with Nils, other ongoing EU anticompetitive cases involving Qualcomm, Apple, Google, and Amazon could be affected.

To find out more about the Intel vs. AMD rivalry that resulted in this case, check out our Biggest Rivalries in Computing History feature.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/66764-intel-gets-boost-top-eu-court-adviser-who.html

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Yes, it's anti trust but it's also business as well and that's how it's conducted and Intel was just stupid enough to be caught out. If AMD was in the position to do the same thing as well do you think the little angel sitting on their shoulder would tell them not to? It would be brushed off like a piece of unsightly, unwanted lint.

 

[Uncle Al]

Intel, Microsoft and so many others have sought to dominate the world with their products; we call that "good business" and, as long as they play fair and stay within the law, they should not be discouraged. But as the old quote points out "power corrupts & absolute power absolutely corrupts", all of these giants have had their fair share of failings and when caught, are punished. Unfortunately, the business schools today teach dominance vs. coexistence so each is trying very hard to eliminate their competition. Some say it's just the way it is, but much of this is inspired by greed. Greed of the owners, managers and especially the stock holders that demand higher and higher growth.

There is no doubt that competition spurs on growth, development and tremendous discoveries and inventions. It is world wide and not likely to change so what's left? Exactly what we see today; the law attempting to deal with it and the rest of us left scratching our heads and wondering when it will stop .....

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Intel, Microsoft and so many others have sought to dominate the world with their products; we call that "good business" and, as long as they play fair and stay within the law, they should not be discouraged. But as the old quote points out "power corrupts & absolute power absolutely corrupts", all of these giants have had their fair share of failings and when caught, are punished. Unfortunately, the business schools today teach dominance vs. coexistence so each is trying very hard to eliminate their competition. Some say it's just the way it is, but much of this is inspired by greed. Greed of the owners, managers and especially the stock holders that demand higher and higher growth.

There is no doubt that competition spurs on growth, development and tremendous discoveries and inventions. It is world wide and not likely to change so what's left? Exactly what we see today; the law attempting to deal with it and the rest of us left scratching our heads and wondering when it will stop .....

It won't stop, it's been like that since the dawn of time. Just try not to be caught out.

 

[Jack007]

That money can be used for research and development into quantum intel chips

 

[Amet Monegro]

Even Amazon do marketing for Intel, if you search AMD motherboards says "DDR3-1066" even if they supports DDR3-2200

 

[Jack007]

Even Amazon do marketing for Intel, if you search AMD motherboards says "DDR3-1066" even if they supports DDR3-2200

Indeed they are like megalodon. unstoppable for now