Statement of Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson
In the Matter of Intel Corporation
Docket No. 9288
The Commission has accepted for public comment an
Agreement Containing Consent Order (the "Agreement") that settles the charges
made by the Commission against Intel in an administrative complaint (the
"Complaint"). The Complaint alleged that Intel unlawfully used its monopoly
power in the market for general microprocessors, to coerce computer and other peripheral
manufacturers to license intellectual property rights to Intel. The Complaint further
alleged that Intel engaged in this conduct in order to maintain its monopoly position.
On June 8, 1998, I voted to issue a Complaint in the
above-captioned action because I was concerned that these allegations, if true, threatened
to harm competition and opportunity for innovation in the general microprocessor market.
This threatened harm would thereby deprive consumers of the price and innovation benefits
of a truly competitive marketplace. Today, I vote to accept the Agreement for
public comment because I believe the Agreement can address these concerns by preserving
competition and providing opportunities for innovation by preventing Intel from using
intellectual property disputes to limit access to advance technical information or
microprocessor products that it routinely provides customers.
I particularly wish to commend the Commission staff and
Intel for working together to craft an agreement that effectively serves the public
interest in the context of the important characteristics of the high technology computer
industry. By eliminating the possibility of anti-competitive withholding of product and
information, the Agreement preserves the benefits of competition while creating a climate
for new ideas. This creative solution will benefit consumers and industry alike.
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