US regulators ready Intel complaint

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 26 Oct 2009 at 09:17

US antitrust regulators are on the verge of filing a complaint against Intel, following the EC's decision to fine the chipmaker $1.45 billion for engaging in anticompetitive practices.

Three of the four commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission - chairman Jon Leibowitz and Thomas Rosch and Pamela Jones Harbour - are in favor of filing a complaint, according to sources.

"They're close," one source said. "They said it could be a matter of weeks or a matter of months when the vote happens."

However, Intel claimed it's been working in the best interest of the customer. "Our business practices are lawful and to the benefit of consumers," says Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy.

We certainly have been working closely with the FTC as they conduct their investigation. We would hope that the speculation is incorrect as we are continuing to work with the commission

"We certainly have been working closely with the FTC as they conduct their investigation. We would hope that the speculation is incorrect as we are continuing to work with the commission," adds Mulloy.

Europe, South Korean and Japanese authorities have already moved against Intel for antitrust violations. The EU fined Intel $1.45 billion for paying computer makers to postpone or cancel plans to launch AMD products, and providing illegal rebates so computer manufacturers would use Intel chips.

The much smaller AMD has long accused Intel of abusing its dominance of the $280 billion chip market and filed its own lawsuit in 2005, but that case has not yet gone to trial.