AMD has filed an anti-trust lawsuit against arch-rival
Intel in the US.
In a 48-page complaint, AMD alleges that Intel’s “illegal acts
inflate computer prices and limit choices for businesses and
consumers”.
The complaint details how Intel has allegedly unlawfully
maintained a monopoly in the x86 microprocessor market “by engaging
in worldwide coercion of customers from dealing with AMD”.
AMD identifies 38 companies that it says have been “victims of
coercion by Intel, including large-scale computer-makers, small
system-builders, wholesale distributors and retailers – through
seven types of illegality across three continents”.
Hector Ruiz, AMD chief executive officer, claimed, “Everywhere
in the world customers deserve freedom of choice and the benefits
of innovation – and these are being stolen away in the
microprocessor market.
“Whether through higher prices from monopoly profits, fewer
choices in the marketplace or barriers to innovation, people from
Osaka to Frankfurt to Chicago pay the price in cash every day for
Intel’s monopoly abuses.”
AMD said Intel’s share of the x86 market stood at about 80% of
worldwide sales by unit volume and 90% by sales. It pointed out
that Apple had just announced it would be moving over to Intel x86
microprocessors from IBM ones.
This market position gave Intel “entrenched monopoly ownership
and super-dominant market power”, said AMD.
AMD’s litigation follows a recent ruling from the Japanese Fair
Trade Commission that Intel abused its monopoly power to prevent
fair and open competition.
The European Commission is considering a similar investigation
into Intel’s actions.
The full AMD complaint can be read at:
http://www.amd.com/breakfree