John Walko Courtesy of EE Times Europe (01/08/2008 8:38 AM EST)

LONDON — Intel has asked for a hearing at the European Commission over the antitrust charges leveled last July by the Commission.

The chipmaker said it has responded to the charges, one working day later than its submission was due, which was Friday, January 4th.

Initially the EC antitrust watchdog gave Intel till October 8th to respond to the charges, originally sparked by complaints from arch-rival AMD, that it had cut prices below cost and offered rebates in an illegal attempt to win business from large customers at the expense of other processor suppliers.

In its submission, which is not being made public at this stage, Intel stresses that it had followed the law and that it remains confident that the microprocessor market segment is functioning normally.

It said it would take advantage of its right to have its case aired before a hearing officer, in a closed-room review. The hearing officer will make no decision but will report directly to Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.

It normally takes several months for a complex case like the one involving Intel to be heard, but the Commission would not say exactly when the hearing would take place.

The Commission's antitrust office has the powers to fine companies up to 10 percent of global revenues if it finds that the company had abused anti-competition rules.

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