Three Strikes; Now What?
5/14/2009
Washington -- Today, CCIA ran an open letter in several Washington, DC
publications highlighting yesterday’s ruling by the European Commission,
which found Intel guilty of abusing its monopoly position. After years of
investigating, the Commission ruled that Intel’s actions significantly
harmed competition and innovation, ordered it to cease its abusive
practices and issued a $1.45 billion fine.
This is the third time Intel has been found guilty by a regulatory body.
The time has come for Washington to focus on Intel's illegal actions, and
most importantly, the impact of its behavior on consumers and industries
around the world.
In the wake of the decision, Intel has confounded the issues, distorted the
EC’s ruling and blurred the state of the industry. It is time to cut
through the spin. As we have said, we need innovation now more than ever,
and we hope that these ads will draw attention to the values that foster
open and competitive markets—not what an adjudicated monopolist says is
fair.
Ed Black, President & CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry
Association said it's time to get beyond the headline of the $1.45 billion
fine.
"It’s not about the EU reprimanding a US company with a fine. It’s really
about the EU stopping future, unfair illegal pricing schemes designed to
block Intel’s last standing competitor.
“These heavy handed tactics, which EU regulators are halting, are designed
to scare fair competition out of the market. The tech companies and
manufacturers in this market understand this and consumers will understand
why this EU ruling righted a wrong when they see the lower prices on tech
products.”
CCIA’s Open Letter on the EC’s Intel Ruling