News - AMD welcomes Intel fine

[HEXUS]

The company responsible for the investigation that led to Intel?s record fine gives its initial thoughts on the ruling.

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[Brewster0101]

I think the first of many such fines for Intel in the next 12 months. Wonder if AMD can get any of this money for compensation due to loss of sales..

[Infinite]

lol wont happen

[matty-hodgson]

what exactly is this fine for?

[kalniel]

what exactly is this fine for?

"violating EC Treaty antitrust rules"

In particular:

"by engaging in illegal anticompetitive practices to exclude competitors from the market for computer chips called x86 central processing units (CPUs)"

These practises included:

"Intel gave wholly or partially hidden rebates to computer manufacturers on condition that they bought all, or almost all, their x86 CPUs from Intel"

and

"Intel also made direct payments to a major retailer on condition it stock only computers with Intel x86 CPUs."

which had the result that:

"effectively prevented customers - and ultimately consumers - from choosing alternative products."

as well as the practises of:

"Intel made direct payments to computer manufacturers to halt or delay the launch of specific products containing competitors’ x86 CPUs "

and

"to limit the sales channels available to these products."

which had the result that:

"these practices constituted abuses of Intel’s dominant position on the x86 CPU market that harmed consumers throughout the EEA. By undermining its competitors’ ability to compete on the merits of their products, Intel’s actions undermined competition and innovation"

[Stringent]

Thing is, AMD won't see much of that money if anything.

[kalniel]

Thing is, AMD won't see much of that money if anything.

Of course not - it's not sueing for damages or anything, just about Intel breaking the EC rules or not. It means we get a rebate on our EC contributions, ultimately putting the money back in the hands of EC consumers who are ultimately the ones who lose out from the rules not being followed.

[Crevan]

So now AMD will again be a financially healthy company with competitive products in all market brackets, right?

On a serious note, though, if this leads to a more competitive market (that is a market where I can get generally superior Intel products for cheaper), then it's fine.

[bull3t4u]

So now AMD will again be a financially healthy company with competitive products in all market brackets, right?

I hope so I use Intel but next time I would buy AMD cpu

[davidcrofter]

So if Intel are proven to be "Guilty M'Lord" then who actually gets this billion euros ... is there some sort of lottery we need to enter!!

[Brewster0101]

I hope so I use Intel but next time I would buy AMD cpu

I too used Intel in my last build because AMD had nothing ready. But my next build will be as much AMD/ATI as possible.

[kalniel]

So if Intel are proven to be "Guilty M'Lord" then who actually gets this billion euros ... is there some sort of lottery we need to enter!!

The EC countries get a rebate on their contributions. In effect, all tax payers in the EU get the money.