AMD to complain about Intel in Germany

Anti-competition allegations again

AMD vs Intel AMD will formally complain to German anti-trust authorities about alleged attempts made by Intel to stop certain retailers selling PCs based on AMD processors, the chip maker said yesterday.

Earlier this week, it emerged an unknown company has already filed a formal complaint about Intel with Germany's Federal Cartel Office (FCO). The organisation confirmed the complaint had been filed but would provide no further details - including the name of the grumbler.

In briefings to journalists yesterday, AMD spokespeople claimed the company has written evidence to support the charges of anti-competitive behaviour it has levelled at Intel. But then it has said as much before, in the lawsuits it filed in the US and Japanese District Courts last year.

For its part, Intel once again re-iterated its belief that its competitive actions are fair and have violated no laws. The company said it will co-operate with the German authorities should the FCO follow up on AMD's complaint.

Last week, the FCO denied a newspaper report it was examining the relationship between Intel and German retail company Metro Group, owner of the Media Markt and Saturn store chains. The Financial Times claimed the FCO has in its possession a letter allegedly written by a Saturn employee that implied Intel gave the retailer financial incentives not to stock AMD-based PCs. ®