intel been bad?

[nepas]

not sure if this has been posted before:

have intel been bad boys?

Inside Intel

Earlier this month, for example, EU officials raided the German offices of Intel, the world's biggest manufacturer of computer chips. The firm has been accused of trying to abuse its dominant market position to stifle competition.

Inspectors have also visited a number of Intel's main suppliers, including UK retailer DSG International, which owns PC World and Curry's.

The investigation started after a complaint from AMD, a rival to the computer giant. It accused Intel of giving incentives to customers to buy Intel products and offering sweeteners to companies to delay or cancel products containing AMD technology.

Bullying, cartel-style

The initial findings of a probe by the European Commission concluded that the chip firm had indeed engaged in anti-competitive activity to thwart AMD. In other words, Intel had indulged in a spot of corporate bullying.

Intel is co-operating with the investigation and believes it has acted lawfully. It must nevertheless answer the charges at a closed hearing in Brussels next month.

European regulators take the matter seriously. They also have the power to fine Intel up to 10% of its annual turnover if it's found guilty.

The dominance of Intel is a danger signal - it's difficult for a market to operate truly competitively if one big firm wields such enormous influence.

source:http://money.uk.msn.com/consumer/article.aspx?cp-documentid=7581694

 

[FarFarAway]

Of course Intel indulged in that sort of stuff, so would you if you had their money

It'll be interesting to see the outcome of the case none-the-less

 

[Bungral]

Ok I can see that a company with that much power would do it.. But the question remains.. WHY?? Why risk it when you have far superior marketing, far superior products and its not like that looks like its going to change any time in the near future. They don't need to resort to anything that could come back to bite them in the arse.

I mean I was a big AMD fan and stuck with the underdog when performance was close but I switched because with the C2Ds there was just such a massive gap it had to be done. While they hold such an advantage there is no need to for 'backhanders' (sorta)

 

[FarFarAway]

Ye but remember that during P4 Intel started really losing ground in the server market big time and AMD are still selling well there and will be until Nehalem comes out.

 

[Bungral]

Ye but remember that during P4 Intel started really losing ground in the server market big time and AMD are still selling well there and will be until Nehalem comes out.

Eurggghhh Nehalem... New mobo

 

[Rastalovich]

Seen a number of these over the last 15 to 20 years in the tech industry, from software to hardware companies.

What generally happens is the firm concerned weighs up the costings and basically just says they did it and pays whatever fine. Key to get the issue done, dusted and out of the way. Trick here is the "damage" is already done.

Not talking about this case in particular like.

For Intel tho - even if it were found they were grossly out of order - 10% of an anual sale compared to a massive market share they have (as a result or not). Just pay it quick, settle.

One trick to make u smell of roses afterward is pay 10% and donate 5% to a charity, or found a charity, and suddenly ur a lovely company again. Only the staunch anti-intel people will remember the dealings.

Seen it all before. Next year no1 will remember in the main.