NY Attorney General investigates Intel antitrust case

New York Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo has opened an antitrust investigation into Intel, over claims that the company used its power in the market to prevent customers from working with its main rivals, Advanced Micro Devices.

"After careful preliminary review, we have determined that questions raised about Intel's potential anticompetitive conduct warrant a full and factual investigation," he said.

"Protecting fair and open competition in the microprocessor market is critical to New York, the United States, and the world.

"Businesses and consumers everywhere should have the ability to easily choose the best products at the best price and only fair competition can guarantee it.

"Monopolistic practices are a serious concern particularly for New Yorkers who are navigating an information-intensive economy."

Cuomo has served a "wide-ranging subpoena seeking documents and information on Intel Corporation" and its dealings with AMD, according to a statement.

Intel, currently the world's largest chip manufacturer has already been the subject of antitrust investigations in Europe and Korea, and was issued with a cease and desist order in Japan over competition issues in 2005.