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Intel tipped to lose antitrust case

Published: 07 Mar 2005 16:20 GMT

Japanese regulators are poised to rule that Intel has violated anti-monopoly laws in Japan, according to reports.

The chipmaker gave favourable prices to customers who limited the number of processors they bought from rival manufacturers, according to Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun. The Japanese Fair Trade Commission has reportedly decided that this practice violated Japan's anti-monopoly law as it harmed Intel's competitors.

Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the commission will soon issue an advisory telling Intel to end the practice.

An Intel spokesman confirmed on Monday that it is working with the Fair Trade Commission, but was unwilling to comment on any potential ruling.

"Intel is continuing to cooperate with the agency as it conducts its investigation," said the spokesman. "We will not comment on speculation concerning that investigation."