Gartner: ''AMD's antitrust case is a media campaign''

Martin Reynolds, vice president at Gartner Research, is convinced that AMD's filing, which is surprisingly readable for a legal document, doesn't only serve as a legal complaint, but as part of a media campaign. AMD's full-page ads in major newspapers seem to confirm this assumption.

He claims the case will draw intense media attention, but is unlikely to have an adverse impact on either companies' operations. Gartner advises companies to ignore the suit and not make any changes to system procurement plans.

Reynolds went on to predict that the lawsuit will probably take years to resolve, but conceded that the pace would be quickened if AMD managed to interest US federal or state authorities in taking up a parallel antitrust case.

"The battle will begin to heat up when AMD tries to engage in the discovery process, which Intel can be expected to vigorously oppose. No company wants lawyers rummaging through its email and other records," he said.

More details at VNU Net