European Ombudsman Criticizes Inquiry Into Intel

The European Union’s ombudsman on Wednesday criticized the antitrust inquiry that led to a 1.06 billion euro ($1.45 billion) fine against Intel, saying investigators failed to note statements that might have been relevant to the chip maker’s case.

The ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, said investigators for the European Commission failed to record in their official minutes a meeting they held in August 2006 with a senior executive for Dell, the computer maker, even though the meeting focused on the central allegations in the case. “This constituted maladministration,” he said.

But Mr. Diamandouros said the oversight did not prevent Intel from mounting its defense.

After a nine-year investigation, the commission ruled in May that Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, had used improper rebates and incentives to persuade computer makers to use its processors over those of Advanced Micro Devices.

The commission, in a statement, said it “does not agree with the ombudsman’s position that a formal, agreed minute should have been prepared.” It added that its practices were in accordance with European legal principles and rules of procedure.




for full article see link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/technology/companies/19chip.html?_r=1&ref=business