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Intel in threats and bribery suit Intel in threats and bribery suit
(10 minutes later)
New York's attorney general has filed an anti-competition lawsuit against Intel, accusing it of using "illegal threats" to dominate microchip sales.New York's attorney general has filed an anti-competition lawsuit against Intel, accusing it of using "illegal threats" to dominate microchip sales.
The firm is accused of using "bribery and coercion" to make manufacturers of personal computers buy its chips instead of those made by its rivals.The firm is accused of using "bribery and coercion" to make manufacturers of personal computers buy its chips instead of those made by its rivals.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said the federal lawsuit follows an investigation lasting almost two years.Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said the federal lawsuit follows an investigation lasting almost two years.
Intel said in a statement that the lawsuit was "just plain wrong".Intel said in a statement that the lawsuit was "just plain wrong".
"Neither consumers, who have consistently benefited from lower prices and increased innovation, nor justice, are being served by the decision to file a case now," it added."Neither consumers, who have consistently benefited from lower prices and increased innovation, nor justice, are being served by the decision to file a case now," it added.
In May, Intel was fined $1.5bn (£948m) by European competition authorities.In May, Intel was fined $1.5bn (£948m) by European competition authorities.
The firm denied any wrongdoing in that case and is now appealing.The firm denied any wrongdoing in that case and is now appealing.
'Systematic campaign''Systematic campaign'
Mr Cuomo said Intel - the world's largest maker of semiconductors - had been engaged in a "worldwide, systematic campaign of illegal conduct".Mr Cuomo said Intel - the world's largest maker of semiconductors - had been engaged in a "worldwide, systematic campaign of illegal conduct".
"Rather than compete fairly, Intel used bribery and coercion to maintain a stranglehold on the market," he added."Rather than compete fairly, Intel used bribery and coercion to maintain a stranglehold on the market," he added.
"Intel's actions not only unfairly restricted potential competitors, but also hurt average consumers who were robbed of better products and lower prices.""Intel's actions not only unfairly restricted potential competitors, but also hurt average consumers who were robbed of better products and lower prices."
Mr Cuomo said the details of the case were revealed in email exchanges.Mr Cuomo said the details of the case were revealed in email exchanges.
Intel is accused of paying millions of dollars each year - and "in some years billions" - in payoffs to computer makers in exchange for them only buying its chips.Intel is accused of paying millions of dollars each year - and "in some years billions" - in payoffs to computer makers in exchange for them only buying its chips.
It is further said to have withdrawn this payments to punish those computer firms "perceived to be working too closely with Intel's competitors".It is further said to have withdrawn this payments to punish those computer firms "perceived to be working too closely with Intel's competitors".
In the European case, the European Commission ruled in May that Intel had paid manufacturers and one retailer to favour its chips over those of key rival Advanced Micro Devices between 2002 and 2007.