Intel May Face Civil Charges Following $1.45 Billion Fine From European Union

Earlier this week, Intel Corporation was fined $1.45 billion by the European Union regarding competitive practices.  The $1.45 billion fine imposed on Intel is a victory for Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD).  AMD is a major competitor of Intel and was responsible for the investigation.  This fine is the largest that has been imposed on a company, even beating out the fine imposed on Microsoft last year.

Intel gave computer manufacturing companies rebates to encourage them to not use AMD’s chips.  Intel has denied those charges and vows to appeal the ruling made against them.  However Intel competitors may take civil cases against them using the Commissions regulatory action as a reference for the lawsuits.

In Korea, Intel was issued a $25.4 million fine for abuse in their dominant position around 2008.  Three years before that, Intel violated the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) anti-monopoly laws by forcing full exclusivity with five Japanese PC companies.

[via ComputerWorld UK]

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