JURIST - Paper Chase: European Commission readying charges against Intel for antitrust violations

[JURIST] Investigators with the European Commission [official website] in Brussels have collected enough evidence to prosecute computer chip maker Intel [corporate website] on antitrust charges, the New York Times reported Wednesday. If arguments before an internal "devil's advocate" panel proceed as expected, prosecutors plan to ask that European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes [official website] issue a list of charges or objections to the company.

Consumer groups and rival chip maker Advanced Micro Designs (AMD) [corporate website] say consumers have fewer options because Intel has used coercive tactics to gain an edge on its competitors. Tactics include issuing rebates to PC makers in exchange for their use of Intel chips. Last week, a US federal judge ruled [opinion, PDF; JURIST report] that AMD could not proceed with a major portion of its case accusing Intel of anticompetitive practices outside the United States. AFP has more. The New York Times has additional coverage.

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