11:58 - 4.02.2025

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February 4, Fineko/abc.az. Intel has obtained a payment of $536 million (515.55 million euros) from the European Commission after a lengthy legal battle over an antitrust fine imposed back in 2009. This payment covers interest on the initial fine of $1.1 billion (1.06 billion euros), which the EU's second-highest court largely annulled in 2022.

ABC.AZ informs that the case arose from a European Commission ruling that Intel engaged in anti-competitive practices between 2002 and 2007. The commission fined the American chip giant for allegedly using discounts to scare computer manufacturers away from buying chips from its competitor AMD.

However, in 2022, the General Court of the European Union found significant flaws in the Commission's economic analysis and cancelled most of the fine, leaving only a portion of $386 million (376 million euros).

After the cancellation, Intel tried to collect interest on the original amount it had paid.

Intel initially challenged the fine in 2014, and although the case has undergone many legal twists and appeals, the final decision in 2022 largely confirmed the company's position. The European Commission argued that Intel's discounts were anti-competitive, but the court ruled that the commission had failed to sufficiently prove their negative impact on competition. The refund marks the end of one of the most high-profile antitrust cases in EU history. However, the publication also raises questions about how the European Commission handles competition cases, especially regarding the reliability of its economic assessments and the length of its legal battles. Despite this legal victory, Intel continues to operate in an increasingly competitive semiconductor environment, with growing challenges from competitors such as the American manufacturer AMD and new market entrants. The company remains a key player in the global chip industry, and this financial recovery complements its efforts to overcome regulatory hurdles while focusing on innovation and market expansion.