EU: Intel learns fate of 5-year-old antitrust fine

Intel failed to appeal its $1.5 billion antitrust fine at the EU’s second-highest court, according to reports.

The EU General Court backed the European Commission Thursday when it denied Intel’s appeal of an abuse of dominance fine issued to the company in 2009. The sanctions followed several years of investigation into the computer chip giant after a complaint claimed Intel unfairly gave incentives to computer makers for using Intel chips instead of rival products.

Reports say Intel looked to have the fines reduced on the grounds that the Commission reacted too harshly; the fine maounts to 4.15 percent of the company’s 2008 turnover, but regulators could have imposed a maximum of 10 percent.

Intel competitor AMD first filed a complaint with the Commission on claims that Intel paid computer makers including Dell and Lenovo for purchasing Intel chips.

”The General Court upholds the fine of 1.06 billion euros imposed on Intel for having abused its dominant position,” the Court wrote in its ruling.

Full content: Reuters

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