Intel lodges appeal against massive EU fine

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 22 Jul 2009 at 16:38

US chipmaker Intel has appealed to Europe's second highest court against an antitrust finding and a 1.06 billion euro (£900m) fine levied by EU regulators.

"We believe the European Commission misinterpreted some evidence and ignored other pieces of evidence," Intel spokesman Robert Manetta claims.

The world's largest chipmaker said it filed an appeal with the Luxembourg-based Court of First Instance.

The European Union executive imposed the fine on Intel in May, the largest ever imposed on a company, for illegal efforts to squeeze out arch-rival AMD.

The penalty, which came after an eight-year investigation, represents 4.15% of Intel's 2008 turnover. The Commission also ordered Intel to cease all illegal practices immediately.

Analysts believe the Commission's finding could put pressure on its US counterparts to take some action against Intel.

The company is now being investigated by both the Federal Trade Commission and the New York attorney general's office.