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EU slaps a record fine on Intel EU slaps a record fine on Intel
(20 minutes later)
Computer chipmaker Intel has been fined a record 1.06bn euros ($1.45bn; £948m) by the European Commission for anti-competitive practices.Computer chipmaker Intel has been fined a record 1.06bn euros ($1.45bn; £948m) by the European Commission for anti-competitive practices.
It dwarfs the 497m euro fine levied on Microsoft in 2004 for abusing its dominant market position.It dwarfs the 497m euro fine levied on Microsoft in 2004 for abusing its dominant market position.
The investigation goes back to 2000, when its rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) lodged a complaint. The Commission found that between 2002 and 2007, Intel had paid manufacturers and a retailer to favour its products.
AMD alleged that Intel had paid computer manufacturers not to use AMD chips in Europe. The investigation followed a complaint by the world's second-biggest chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
The Commission ruled that Intel had given hidden rebates to computer manufacturers if they only used Intel chips. The Commission said that Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo and NEC had been given hidden rebates if they only used Intel chips.
It also found that a retailer had been given money so that it would only sell computers with Intel chips. 'Sustained violation'
It also found that Media Saturn, which owns Europe's biggest consumer electronics retailer Media Markt, had been given money so that it would only sell computers containing Intel chips.
"Intel has harmed millions of European consumers by deliberately acting to keep competitors out of the market for computer chips for many years," said Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes."Intel has harmed millions of European consumers by deliberately acting to keep competitors out of the market for computer chips for many years," said Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
"Such a serious and sustained violation of the EU's antitrust rules cannot be tolerated.""Such a serious and sustained violation of the EU's antitrust rules cannot be tolerated."
Last year, Intel made 80.5% of the microprocessors in PCs, while AMD made 12% of them.
The Commission has also ordered Intel "to cease the illegal practices immediately to the extent that they are still ongoing".