Intel is Denied a Hearing in Antitrust Case

In July of 2008, Europe's governing body brought a Supplementary Statement of Objections against technology giant Intel. Several months later, the Santa Clara, CA-based company is responding to the antitrust probe.

According to Ars Technica, Intel has requested an oral hearing in front of the European Commission in order to address the statement as well as defend itself. However, the EU has denied the hearing from taking place. "We filed an answer and we are waiting for the commission to make a determination," said Intel spokesman Chuck Malloy. "The next step is for them to analyze and make a decision going forward. DG-COMP will take some time to consider its response." The EU has also addressed the situation, saying, "The Commission will nevertheless assess whether the information submitted on Feb. 5 is necessary to properly conduct the administrative procedure in this antitrust case."

Intel originally had the right to request a hearing from the Commission regarding the antitrust charges. However, because the company took longer than the standard two week period to request such an audience, it isn't much of a surprise that the hearing was denied.

The antitrust case stems from Intel and its place in the processor market. The European Commission claims that Intel infringed on the Commissions' rules regarding a company's dominant position in a given market. In this case, the claim is that Intel abused its power with the intention of "excluding its main rival, AMD, from the x86 Central Processing Units (CPU) market." The accusations include Intel paying OEM's to be Intel exclusive as well as paying companies to delay the launch of products based on AMD hardware.

When Intel requested documents from AMD through the EC's Directorate General for Competition, the body initially agreed. When Intel concluded that it required further documentation from its rival to clear the air, that request was denied.

Because of EU procedure, Intel's request and the Commissions denial are not available. For now, all we can do is wait and see what becomes of the antitrust case, and if Intel is given a chance to clear its name.