Intel Hit With $1.45 Billion Fine From EU
The European Union has fined Intel a record breaking $1.45 billion in relation to antitrust charges against the company.
European Antitrust regulators have been reviewing Intel’s case for a very long time, believing the company’s pricing model was an attempt to drive competition out of the market. Intel denied the charges related to rebates offered as long as manufacturers agreed to obtain the majority of their processors from Intel as well as paying them to either to delay or cancel the launch of AMD based products. The company maintained its actions were within legal boundaries.
In a statement this morning, the EU’s Competition Commissioner says Intel “harmed millions of European consumers deliberately” and the fines shouldn’t surprise anyone. "Given that Intel has harmed millions of European consumers by deliberately acting to keep competitors out of the market for over five years, the size of the fine should come as no surprise," said Neelie Kroes.
Intel on the other hand is not happy and plans to appeal the decision, claiming it “ignores the reality of the highly competitive microprocessor market.” The fine itself amounts to a mere 4.15 percent of Intel’s annual revenue ($38 billion in 2008), and given that the European Union is, by law, allowed to fine up to 10 percent of that figure, we’re a little surprised at the leniency of it all.
The decision comes amid speculation that Intel could come under similar scrutiny in the United States following resolute statements from the White House regarding anti competitive behavior.

I say that AMD is competing pretty awesome for a company that has been kicked in the nuts. So if AMD just had those extra sales, well that would put amd back on track.
AMD had to do that wierd Fab thing becuase it lacked cash. AMD would still be a whole (not having to sell out their fabs in a wierd way)if they were not kicked in the nuts.
When the Athlon first came out AMD was increasing market share like crazy and yet for some reason they were stuck thanks to intel.
Could you imagine what AMD would be like today if Intel played fair?
though it will likely only affect OEM builds n such. tis a pity.
and that is taking into account that intel will stop doing this...
It's already happened in the US.
I say that AMD is competing pretty awesome for a company that has been kicked in the nuts. So if AMD just had those extra sales, well that would put amd back on track.
AMD had to do that wierd Fab thing becuase it lacked cash. AMD would still be a whole (not having to sell out their fabs in a wierd way)if they were not kicked in the nuts.
When the Athlon first came out AMD was increasing market share like crazy and yet for some reason they were stuck thanks to intel.
Could you imagine what AMD would be like today if Intel played fair?
They had plenty of cash coming in in the Athlon 64 early days when Pentium 4's and Pentium D's were cheap, hot and slow and the A64's and X2's allowed for a premium price for the better more efficent option etc - all they gave us is the Phenom - wouldnt say your statement is entirely true
Intel awaits same charges in Japan and Korea; maybe US follows.
That will add up.
Chuckle.
Are you retarded or do you take night classes on how to become a world-class douche?
"rebates offered as long as manufacturers agreed to obtain the majority of their processors from Intel as well as paying them to either to delay or cancel the launch of AMD based products."
This case has nothing to do with Intel marketing their latest chip or if you believe that AMD cannot keep up with Intel (imo they do). This case is about Intel essentially PAYING retailers to not carry AMD or delay release of AMD products. That's F'ed up right there.
AMD produces a great product. They make processors that do everything that Intel can do and AMD makes it more cost effective. Buy AMD and take that $100+ you just saved and put it toward a better GPU. Buy ATI and save some more. AMD is playing the game and playing it very well but you can’t ever get an Intel fanboi to admit that.
I like Intel products and have always supported them but this time I am building all AMD because I have enough intelligence to recognize a price bargin without taking a performance loss.
On that note. Tom, there is a review you can do. $1500 cap but underspending is encouraged and will count toward the final score - AMD/ATI vs Intel/Nvidia and see which produces a more cost effective setup.
First of all, if they been monitoring Intel for a long time, they should not have waited 5 years to fine someone, and with this action, as most of you say AMD will not benefit at all. AS AMD had it's run, and they could run again.
And if they really wanted to help competition they would act at least 3 years ago so competition stays alive, not like this time after 5 years. Even I do not believe that this was the case. AMD was out of cash because it bought ATI, and wasted cash, and therefore could not invest in R&D and therefore could not compete.
I believe OBAMA has to talk to EU and cancel that fine, i think my state would not mind to have that kind of money in this economy.
I'd like to know this same thing...if the fine goes to the EU only then it's just a load of bull. Since they are fining them for hurting the "consumers" then either the money should go to those millions of consumers or the money should go to competitors as payments for lost revenue. Anyone know how it actually works?
And what would you possible have to say to Obama to make him consider talking to the EU, one of your country's main trading parterns over a measily 1.45 billion and ruining relations with their trade commision, thats just greedy and helps the world economy in no way.
You can call it a "measly $1.45 billion", but do you know what that means in the states? It means jobs, lots of them. It means expansion to create more jobs, lots of expansion. Of course they wouldn't even try to get the 10% because they know they wouldn't get it without getting booed away by or make international news frontpage headlines over it. Not to mention that this fine is only targeting Intel for their money to go toward some foriegn government that is claiming, "they're being bad to AMD, so give *us* money" which makes just as much sense as little johnny taking little jimmy's lunch money and johnny having to pay his teacher a fine. This is all ridiculous