Korean Regulators Seek Answers From IntelKorean Regulators Seek Answers From Intel

LONDON — Antitrust authorities in Korea have started looking into rebate and marketing deals Intel Corp. has made with personal computer manufacturers there, according to a regulatory filing Monday (Aug. 8).

A spokesman for Intel told EE Times the Korean FTC has not started any formal action against the chipmaker, “but they have asked us for certain information, and we are co-operating fully with them.”

The request for information came to light in a regulatory filing published Monday in which the litigation between AMD and Intel was discussed. “The requests from the Korean authorities are in no way part of those litigations, but we felt it prudent to mention the discussions in the quarterly 10 K filing.”

In the filing, the chip maker said it "expects that these matters will be acceptably resolved."

For Intel, the action by Korean authorities adds to the intensifying scrutiny of the chip maker over its business and marketing practices.

Intel faces a lawsuit from rival Advanced Micro Devices, which claims Intel has used improper subsidies and threats of retaliation against computer makers, vendors, and retailers for using or selling AMD products. Intel has denied the accusations, with chief executive Paul Otellini saying the company will not alter its practices.

Also, European authorities are probing Intel business practices on their continent. They are receiving help from Japanese officials who in March managed to get Intel to stop unfair trade practices by its Intel K.K. subsidiary.

Spencer Chin contributed to this report