New York's attorney general has launched an anti-trust
investigation into the microprocessor dealings ofIntel.
Intel is already
being sued by smaller rival AMD over alleged anti-trust actions
in the marketplace.
New York attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, yesterday served a
wide-ranging subpoena on Intel seeking documents and information on
its dealings.
Cuomo says he is investigating whether Intel violated state and
federal anti-trust laws by coercing PC manufacturers and retailers
to exclude main rival AMD from the worldwide market for x86
computer processing units (CPUs).
"After careful preliminary review, we have determined that
questions raised about Intel's potential anti-competitive conduct
warrant a full and factual investigation," said Cuomo.
"Protecting fair and open competition in the microprocessor
market is critical to New York, the US and the world. Businesses
and consumers everywhere should have the ability to easily choose
the best products at the best price, and only fair competition can
guarantee it.
"Monopolistic practices are a serious concern particularly for
New Yorkers who are navigating an information-intensive economy,"
he said.
Similar investigations into Intel have already been launched by
the European Commission and the Korean Fair Trade Commission.
In 2005, the Japanese Fair Trade Commission concluded that Intel
violated its competition laws and Intel agreed to cease and
desist.