Intel faces big anti-trust fine in Europe
The European Commission is accusing Intel of offering computer manufacturers illegal rebates. If the company is found guilty, it could face the largest anti-trust fine ever levied in Europe. Stephen Beard reports.
A plant of the U.S. chip maker Intel Corp. (Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty Images)
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BILL RADKE: Intel is facing the biggest anti-trust fine ever levied in Europe. This week the European Commission is expected to find Intel guilty of abusing its market dominance. From the European Desk in London, Stephen Beard reports.
STEPHEN BEARD: Intel is accused of offering illegal rebates. The company is alleged to have offered the rebates to computer manufacturers and a European retailer on condition that they make and sell only PCs with Intel inside. The Europe Commission launched its anti-trust inquiry almost a decade ago. It was prompted by a complaint from a rival chip maker, AMD.
Nikki Tait is with the Financial Times in Brussels. She says the Commission is expected -- on Wednesday -- to impose a gigantic penalty on Intel. Even bigger than the $1.3 billion anti-trust fine they slapped on Microsoft.
NIKKI TAIT: I think this is going to be a very big deal indeed. We're dealing with a very large market here, essentially the market for personal computers in Europe which is huge. And we're dealing with one of the largest companies in the technology field.
Intel denies the allegations. The company says its business practices are lawful and good for consumers.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
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