EC Dumps On Intel

BURLINGAME, Calif. -- The European Commission on Monday released the text of its decision to fine Intel 1.06 billion euros, or $1.44 billion, in May after ruling the chip giant used anti-competitive practices to get an edge over rival microprocessor company Advanced Micro Devices. The EC's decision includes excerpts of internal memos from computer makers and retailers.

The EC said that Intel ( INTC - news - people ) gave rebates to PC makers on the condition they buy all or most of their CPUs from the company, restricted how computer makers could sell AMD ( AMD - news - people )-based products, and tried to conceal its arrangements with computer makers and retailers. Intel, however, has publicly disputed the commission's findings.

Among the documents released Monday were internal memos from Dell ( DELL - news - people ), Hewlett-Packard ( HPQ - news - people ), Lenovo ( LNVGY.PK - news - people ), NEC ( NIPNY - news - people ) and European retailer Media Saturn discussing their dealings with Intel. "PLEASE DO NOT ... communicate to the regions, your team members or AMD that we are constrained to 5% AMD by pursuing the Intel agreement," an HP employee wrote to colleagues in July 2002 after discussions with Intel.

Guess they know now.