The Price of Abuse: Intel and the European Commission Decision

Authors

Robert H. Lande, University of Baltimore School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2009

Abstract

The May 13, 2009 decision by the European Commission ('EC') holding that Intel violated Article 82 of the Treaty of Rome and should be fined a record amount and prohibited from engaging in certain conduct, set off a predictable four part chorus of denunciations:

1. Intel did nothing wrong and was just competing hard;
2. Intel's discounts were good for consumers;;
3. The entire matter is just another example of Europeans protecting their own against a more efficient U.S. company; and;
4. Even if Intel did engage in anticompetitive activity, the fine was much too large. These assertions will be addressed in turn.;

Recommended Citation

The Price of Abuse: Intel and the European Commission Decision, 5 GCP: The Online Magazine for Global Competition Policy, No. 2, June 2009