Abuse of dominant position

First, Intel granted concealed discounts and even made direct payments to computer manufacturers who undertook to purchase microprocessors from Intel on an exclusive basis (as an example, the Commission cited Media Saturn Holding, one of the leaders in the sale of electronic devices, which Intel directly paid to not sell computers with microprocessors other than Intel’s). The Commission stated that these payments and discounts prevented consumers from freely choosing alternative products other than those offered by the company with a dominant position on the market.

Second, Intel was found to have violated its dominant position by directly or indirectly paying computer manufacturers to suspend or delay market launches of products that would contain processors other than Intel’s. The Commission stated that Intel’s violation constituted a severe breach of free competition and innovation in the computer microprocessor industry.