Intel An Antitrust Violator?

The European Union’s antitrust legislator has brought charges against chip maker Intel, accusing it of using illegalrebates in its business fight with Advanced Micro Devices.   The charges were given to Intel yesterday, following a six-year investigation that began with acomplaint from A.M.D. For most of the time the market was hugely dominated by Intel, which enjoyed an 80% share. However, Advanced Micro Devices struck back last year, introducing new chips that drewcustom away from Intel.   Intel now has two months to respond to the charges, and can appeal any final decision in court. The biggest penalty that can be imposed for breaking antitrust laws inEurope is that a company can be fined 10% of its annual sales.   Neither company was willing to comment on the charges. But in a suit filed in 2005 in Delaware, A.M.D. accused Intel of“engaging in a relentless, worldwide campaign to coerce customers to refrain from dealing with A.M.D.”