Computer chip manufacturer Intel has been fined by the EU for anti-competitive behaviour. The EU dealt out a fine of €1.46 Billion as punnish resulting from a continuous breach of Article 82 EC Treaty which regulates the activities of undertakings in a dominant position within the market.

The aim of Article 82 is to prevent monopolies from abusing their position and adversely affecting consumer choice and price.

Intel had successfully undertaken schemes on sale of their products to attempt to tie customers into purchasing their products in the future by offering rebates if consumers choose their products over those of rival AMD. Resultingly Intel managed to obtain and maintain a 70% market share clearly establishing dominance winhin the market.

The fine levied by ty EU I’d the biggest individual fine ever given for anti-competitive behaviour, previous records held by breaches of other anti-competitive laws under Article 81 by Microsoft (surprise). Microsoft had been fined in excess of €400 million for tying their Windows Media Player in with the Windows OS, a pactice the EU determined prevented other softwae developers from entering the media player market. Microsoft were given time to remedy re reach and supply versions of Windows without the media player. They failed to do this on seperate occassions ulimayel requiring themto pay a further fine in excess of €1 billion. Aparently they can make more mone from ignoring the EU and paying the astronomical fines. Naughty M$ and Intel.