[Toshiro]

Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices has sued Intel in a broad-ranging 48-page complaint accusing its rival of using illegal scare tactics and coercion to keep computer manufacturers from using AMD processors. AMD cited 38 companies in its lawsuit that it claims were bullied by market leader Intel.

AMD's case follows an antitrust ruling in Japan where Intel was found to have coerced one OEM into agreeing to purchase all of its CPUs from Intel, while another was mandated with an Intel-imposed quota of 10 percent non-Intel purchases.

A key issue in the AMD case could be the rebates Intel offers computer makers who agree to use its chips exclusively. Such marketing subsidies have become commonplace in the technology industry, but AMD says the practice is illegal for monopolists like Intel.

In order to make its case, AMD plans to seek subpoenas to obtain private e-mails between its customers and Intel. AMD will also ask customers to testify on its behalf.

AMD has also setup a special Web site devoted to what it calls "Fair and Open Competition" where company CEO Hector Ruiz details the reasons behind AMD's lawsuit.

"Intel's behavior is much more than meets the eye," Ruiz wrote. "You may not have been aware, but Intel's illegal actions hurt consumers - everyday. Computer buyers pay higher prices inflated by Intel's monopoly profits. Less innovation is produced because less competition exists. Purchasers lose their fundamental right to choose the best technology available."

The case could go to trial as soon as the end of 2006.

More drama in the hardware side.

Here is the original site: http://www.betanews.com/article/AMD_Files_Antitrust_Suit_Against_Intel/1119977968

Also if you want to look at the PDF:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/DownloadableAssets/AMD-Intel_Full_Complaint.pdf

 

[Valcrist]

*sigh* Why can't companies just be honest. I have no particular bad feelings towards intel. I just happen to like AMD more, but intel definitley deserves to be punished for this.

 

[Aided Onslaught]

Yeah, this is crap...Valcrist said it quite well. I mean I have a little bit of a problem with intel and how they make things, but it doesn't bother me. I want to see AMD more with computer brands (even though I just build my own)...

 

[bahamut_2006]

AMD also wants the public to support this suit. . If you ask me, this is a good thing. Intel really does need to stop dominating the average joe pc industry (buying from hp or dell or some other brand.) This brings more competition, better products, and lower prices.

 

[Demigod]

I find this quite ridiculous. It's the Microsoft antitrust suit all over again. It's a common fact that large corporations deal in strong-arm tactics and virtually every company does it (Intel, Nvidia, Microsoft, etc.). I've also come to the realization that most of the time the companies who sue the large corporations are those who have failed to compete due to their own incompetence. They use friendly tactics in an aggressive market, they get screwed over, and then they sue the other company. AMD has always been weak-willed and this only shows their weakness. They've always relied too heavily on enthusiasts and their fanbase but expect their products to sell without any effort on their part. AMD should have realized by now that they are in an aggressive market and must do whatever they can do secure market share and customers.

You know, I run a little tutoring service in my university. I put up flyers and signs to advertise to students who need help, but I've noticed that they go down frequently. I was then told that other tutors actually take down advertisement of their competitors. I initially thought this a bit unfair and underhanded, but then I realized that that's life and it's what you have to do in an aggressive market, and either you live up to the standards and compete realistically, or you drop out and fail. Of course I'm not that desperate to take down others' advertisements, I just put up new ones immediately when mine are taken down. In short, AMD is living in a fantasy world, expecting a completely friendly market where two companies put up their products, and the customer chooses between them. Real life is not that simple.

 

[Noxious Ninja]

Well, that's why the government is there to protect the interests of consumers.

Seriously, though. I knew Intel had "aggresive" exclusivity deals with Dell, but I had no idea they had locked most of the market. If everything in the complaint is true, then F*** you Intel.

 

[INCA]

I think as consumer i hope that Intel wont be able to lock out competition. They are a monopoly and its best interest as consumer to seen it broke up.
But if i was Intel i wouldve done what they have done. Make sure you dont have competition. I'm sure that Intel is worried that AMD being bigger threat in the future and made these decisions to lockout competition. As long as they have big companies like Dell that only sell their Cpus they have nothing to worry about.