CCIA Applauds NY Attorney General on Intel Inquiry

File Under: News, AntiTrust

Jan 10, 2008

Background: Today New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that his office had begun an investigation into accusations of anticompetitive behavior by Intel Corp. in the market for computer microprocessors. The following statement should be attributed to CCIA President and CEO Ed Black:

“CCIA has a long history of seeking to promote innovation in our industry by supporting competition and urging targeted government involvement to halt anticompetitive behavior. Our industry is too important to be dominated by any company obtaining chokepoint control and then misusing the power that comes from such control.  CCIA’s past support of actions to curb the anticompetitive behavior of AT&T, IBM, and Microsoft have all resulted in vastly improved competitive markets and greater innovation.

"Given the importance of the chip industry, it is important that allegations of major anticompetitive behavior not be ignored, and that a full airing and examination of the facts be undertaken.  Thus, CCIA welcomes the investigation of serious, credible accusations relating to anti-competitive behavior by Intel, and we applaud General Cuomo for his action.  New York now joins the European Union, Japan, and Korea -- all governments with recognized antitrust expertise -- which are seeking to uncover the truth about this sector and to take action if warranted.  The U.S. government has not yet acted but is reportedly considering whether to launch an official investigation.

"It is not surprising that the New York Attorney General’s Office, which in recent years has played a leading role on numerous pro-consumer issues, has decided to turn its attention to competition in the market for computer microprocessors.  Its expertise in antitrust was demonstrated by its central role in the Microsoft antitrust case,. Investigations such as this -- and remedies that may result -- protect competition and are of great importance to the computer and communications industry. Our industry innovates more and works best when companies with new and better ideas compete free of antitrust bottlenecks."


About CCIA

CCIA is an international, nonprofit association of computer and communications industry firms, representing a broad cross section of the industry. CCIA is dedicated to preserving full, fair and open competition throughout our industry. Our members employ more than 600,000 workers and generate annual revenues in excess of $200 billion.