EU hits Intel with massive fine

Jake Widman
Thursday, 14 May 2009 01:23

IT Policy - Regulation

Intel vigorously disputed the decision and will file an appeal in the European Union courts.

At a press conference in Brussels, Intel general counsel Bruce Sewell said, "We have never conditioned a rebate on an agreement not to buy from AMD."

Sewell also "categorically" denied that Intel had paid manufacturers to delay the launches of products containing AMD chips.

Even if Intel appeals, however, it is going to have to come up with the fine.

In its antitrust case against Microsoft, the Commission had waited to collect its fine for part of the appeals process. Kroes told Reuters TV that they would not do the same for Intel.

Kroes also joked, in a press conference, that Intel should consider changing its advertising slogan from "sponsors of tomorrow" to "sponsors of the European taxpayer."

For more on what it all means, see Page 3