Posted on Monday, May 11 2009 @ 20:36 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
WSJ
heard Intel is going to get a huge antitrust fine from the European Commission on Wednesday, an exact figure is still unknown but the chip maker is likely facing one of the highest fines in Europe's antitrust history. Under the commission's rules, Intel could face a fine as much as 10 percent of its annual revenue, which was $38 billion last.
The commission's decision set for Wednesday is said to be extremely complex and lengthy, in order to safeguard the antitrust enforcer against any possible legal challenges from Intel, which is likely facing one of the highest fines in Europe's antitrust history, according to Brussels-based lawyers.
EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes can, under commission's rules, fine Intel as much as 10% of its annual revenue, which in 2008 was almost $38 billion. Last year, the commission issued a record $1.16 billion fine against Microsoft Corp. for noncompliance in the EU's long-running antitrust fight with the software giant.
