EU ombudsman criticizes antitrust probe of Intel
Report won’t impact $1.45 billion fine levied on Intel
Jim Carbone -- Purchasing, 11/19/2009 11:17:19 AM
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A European Union (EU) ombudsman criticized the way the European Commission handled part of its antitrust investigation of microprocessor maker Intel. The previously confidential report was released Wednesday by the regulatory agency.
The report by Ombudsman P. Nikiforos Diamandouros focused on a complaint by Intel that the Commission did not take minutes of a meeting it had with a Dell executive held in August 2006 although the meeting dealt with the commission’s investigation of Intel.
A summary of the EU ombudsman's report said the “commission had committed an instance of maladministration” by not taking notes of the meeting. The ombudsman did not, however, “make any finding as to whether the Commission had infringed Intel's rights of defense,” according to the summary.
The report is not expected to have an immediate bearing on the Commission's ruling and fine against Intel. Intel was found to have engaged in unfair practices in competing with rival Advanced Micro Devices and was fined $1.45 billion in May, but is appealing the case.
A spokesman for Intel said the ombudsman’s report shows that the Commission ignored evidence that was potentially favorable to Intel’s case that it did nothing wrong and that the Commission was selective in its use of evidence in the case.
Last week Intel and AMD settled their longstanding legal battles. Under an agreement, Intel will pay AMD $1.25 billion in return for dropping all litigation against Intel.
See also: Intel, AMD settle $1.25 billion antitrust suit
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