Intel files appeal against European antitrust fine

IDG News Service - Intel lodged an appeal of the European Commission's antitrust ruling against it with Europe's second highest court Wednesday, arguing that the regulator failed to consider evidence supporting the chip maker's arguments.

"We believe the Commission misinterpreted some evidence and ignored other pieces of evidence," said company spokesman Robert Manetta in a telephone interview.

The Commission found Intel guilty of antitrust abuse in May and fined the company just over $1.4 billio), the largest single antitrust fine it has ever meted out to a company.

It also ordered it to stop handing out rebates to PC manufacturers and retailers on condition of near or total exclusivity, and to stop paying PC makers to delay the launch of models equipped with chips made by its closest rival AMD.

Intel's appeal will be heard by the Court of First Instance in Luxembourg.

Antitrust authorities in South Korea and Japan have also found fault with Intel's marketing methods, such as rebates, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and New York Attorney General's office are investigating Intel for abuse of its monopoly position.