EU: Intel seeking more time on antitrust reply

U.S. chipmaker Intel has asked for more time to respond to antitrust charges leveled by the European Commission, an official at the European Union's executive arm said on Monday. "We have received a request for an extension from Intel and it is still under consideration," said the official, who asked not to be identified. The Commission in July charged Intel with slashing prices below cost and offering huge rebates in an illegal attempt to drive smaller competitor Advanced Micro Devices out of the market. The Commission gave Intel until Oct. 8 to respond.

The chipmaker's general counsel said in July that Intel followed the law and that the Commission had made mistakes in its charge sheet. The EU executive has locked horns recently with other U.S. chipmakers, charging Rambus in August with claiming "unreasonable royalties" and opening formal proceedings against Qualcomm in a similar case last week. The Commission is the EU's ultimate antitrust regulator and has powers to fine companies up to 10 percent of their global annual revenues for competition abuses.