Intel to Respond to EU Antitrust Charges

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Chipmaker Intel has been granted a further short extension to respond to antitrust charges leveled by the European Commission, an Intel spokesman said on Friday.

The response had been due on Friday but Intel will file instead on Monday, January 7, the spokesman told Reuters.

The Commission in July, 2007, charged Intel with slashing prices below cost and offering huge rebates in an illegal attempt to drive smaller competitor Advanced Micro Devices Inc out of the market.

Intel says it has followed the law.

The Commission originally gave Intel until October 8 to respond but extended that to January 4. That was then followed by the further extension on Friday.

The Commission is the EU’s antitrust watchdog and has powers to fine companies up to 10 percent of their global annual revenues for competition abuses.

(Reporting by David Lawsky; Editing by Rory Channing)