lucadelladora – Intel has lost a major legal challenge against European Union regulators after more than a decade of litigation. The ruling confirms Intel must pay a reduced antitrust fine worth €237 million. The decision was reported by Reuters on Wednesday.
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The case originated in 2009, during the early days of mobile computing and netbook popularity. At that time, the European Commission accused Intel of violating EU competition laws. Regulators said Intel used anticompetitive practices to protect its dominance in the PC processor market. The Commission identified two major violations. First, Intel provided hidden rebates to computer manufacturers to block rivals. Second, Intel paid companies to delay or cancel products using AMD processors.
The current fine relates only to the second violation. EU regulators labeled these actions as “naked restrictions.” They involved direct payments to manufacturers to suppress competition. According to court findings, Intel made these payments to HP, Acer, and Lenovo between 2002 and 2006. The goal was to limit the availability of AMD-powered devices. Regulators concluded these actions harmed competition and consumer choice.
The original penalty for this conduct totaled €376 million. Intel challenged the amount, arguing the fine was disproportionate. While the court rejected Intel’s appeal, it agreed to reduce the sum by roughly one-third. As a result, Intel must now pay €237 million, equivalent to about $276.6 million. The judgment marks a significant moment in one of Europe’s longest-running antitrust battles.
A Legal Saga Marked by Reversals and Ongoing Appeal Options
The Intel antitrust case has moved repeatedly through Europe’s court system. In 2017, the EU’s highest court ordered a partial review. Judges said regulators failed to properly assess economic effects in part of the ruling. That reassessment led to a major change in 2022. Europe’s second-highest court overturned the first violation related to hidden rebates. That ruling eliminated a much larger fine.
The original penalty for hidden rebates totaled €1.06 billion. The EU Court of Justice confirmed its cancellation last year. This removed the most severe financial consequence Intel initially faced. However, courts upheld the second violation involving direct payments to manufacturers. Based on that ruling, regulators imposed the €376 million fine in 2023. Intel’s most recent appeal targeted this remaining penalty.
The court rejected Intel’s attempt to fully eliminate the fine. Instead, judges reduced the amount while maintaining the finding of anticompetitive conduct. Despite the ruling, the case may not be fully resolved. Both Intel and the European Commission retain the right to appeal. Any appeal would focus on legal interpretation rather than factual findings.
If either side proceeds, the case would return to the EU Court of Justice. That could extend the dispute into another year. The outcome reinforces the EU’s strict stance on competition enforcement. It also highlights how antitrust cases can span decades. For Intel, the decision closes one chapter while leaving another potentially open.
