Intel response deadline extended
The company now has until April 1, rather than March 18, to defend its Japanese subsidiary – based in Tokyo – against accusations it had used heavyhanded sales practices and taken advantage of its dominant market position to cajole computer makers into using only its microprocessors.
The commission has not at present fined Intel but it has threatened to prosecute the company if it does not alter its sales techniques. Intel has defended its sales methods, claiming that they don't break any laws.
News that Intel's Japanese subsidiary was being investigated first emerged in April last year when three of its offices were raided by the Fair Trade Commission.
Investigators were searching for evidence that the company had used illegal methods to discourage personal computer makers from using microprocessors from rival chip makers such as AMD and Transmeta Corp.
US-based Dell – the largest PC maker in the world – recently announced that it would continue to use only Intel microprocessors in its computers.