Intel, who were whacked with a $1.8 Billion dollar fine by the European Competition Commission last night after they were exposed for dodgy dealings with retailers and PC vendors, is now squealing that it was “dodgy” evidence that got them in strife and not anti-competitive practices.
Their general counsel has accused the European Competition Commission of relying on dodgy evidence and ignoring documents which contradicted its case, after receiving a record fine for anti-competitive practices.
Bruce Sewell, Intel’s general counsel, said in a statement: “We take great exception to the conclusions reflected in this Final Decision and we are dismayed that in a time of such acute economic turmoil, the Competition Authorities have seen fit to intervene in what is by all objective measures an innovative, dynamic and competitive market.”
He said: “The Commission decision has chosen to rely on weak pieces of evidence and to ignore evidence which contradicted its view.” He said the decision relied on one piece of hearsay evidence while ignoring five pieces of sworn testimony.
According to the European web site The Register Sewell rejected the Commission’s claim that Intel had ever made rebates conditional on OEMs or retailers not taking AMD chips.
The Register said that the Commission claims that Intel had engaged in a cover-up. Sewell said: “I know of no instance where we’ve tried to hide anything.” He said the claimed cover-up was just an excuse for the Commission’s lack of actual evidence.
This is despite the insistence of Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, that the Commission had documents clearly showing Intel required a company to delay an AMD based machine for six months. Sewell said he was unaware of this evidence, or of other claimed anti-competitive behaviour.
