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.”