The European Commission has asked Intel to react to allegations
that it abused its dominant position in the market for
Windows-capable microprocessors by engaging in abusive marketing
practices.
The Commission is examining two different complaints against
Intel made by Taiwan’s Via Technologies and California’s Advanced
Micro Devices alleging anti-competitive loyalty rebates and
exclusive distribution agreements with PC manufacturers and
retailers.
In a statement, the Commission made clear that it is not “taking
up previous efforts by the US Federal Trade Commission to
investigate the same company, as suggested by a newspaper
article.”
The Commission is already examining Intel's replies. It has also
sent requests for information to several PC manufacturers and
retailers.
The investigation is at a very early stage and the Commission
has not made any finding that Intel has actually committed an
infringement of European Union competition law.
There is no strict timetable for the conclusion of antitrust
investigations in the EU. Their duration depends on whether the
Commission comes to the preliminary conclusion that EU law has been
breached and the need to respect procedural requirements relating
to the companies' rights of defence (due process).
