AMD is suffering? Did they just not acquire their own video card company, ATI? I think AMD is taking their "Underdog" stuff a wee bit too far. Seriously, in the home market AMD is toe to toe with Intel and with the acquisition of ATI, AMD should be able to put packages together that combine the powerful processor with powerful video card all in one package. How could Intel answer back to that?

I think AMD is taking their "Underdog" stuff a wee bit too far.

In this case, however, it is not AMD doing the whining, but the EU trying to flex its economic muscles again. First it was Microsoft, now Intel! Who's next, Sony because it has fingers in every electronics and media pie....or McDonalds because nobody else can sell hamburgers under that name?

Quite frankly, I'd like to see Microsoft and Intel (any other company it decides to sue) bankrupt the EU with massive legal costs emanating from long, drawn out legal battles IT cannot win....such is my contempt for the EU's bully boy tactics against successful corporations, when in fact it should be more focussed on issues of greater concern: for example; N Korea's nuclear tests; Iran's nuclear aspirations; the social and economic impact of ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, terrorism and the general feeling of political unrest within the Middle East.

How could Intel answer back to that?

Purchase its own GPU manufacturer, perhaps?

Trust the EU to come to the rescue of whiney tech companies, to support them in cases that they know absolutely FA about.

I doubt any number of corporations could bankrupt the EU, do you have any idea the kind of numbers that memeber states turn over ? France,Germany,Holland,Italy,Swizerland,Ireland and Great Britain to name a few !
If Intel has acted uncompetitively then they should pay the price, AMD and Intel are both American Corporations so why all the anti-EU , Pro USA ranting I have no idea !! AMD might be in good shape now but I'm sure the lawsuits being brought against Intel worldwide refer to past practices and if AMD were financially hurt in the past then Intel should pay ..... or should we all just think about worldwide terrorism and forget about dirty corporate practices ? LOL thank god i don't have FOX News

What is in it for the EU? Publicity, Money, World Wide clout?

It would seem that there might be an arguement that the EU is starting to use dirty practices.

I doubt any number of corporations could bankrupt the EU, do you have any idea the kind of numbers that memeber states turn over ? France,Germany,Holland,Italy,Swizerland,Ireland and Great Britain to name a few !

Does this mean they have the right to manipulate mass media for gain?

I am certainly no expert on the EU, but having seen them go after Microsoft and then balking at the thought that a Vista release in Europe may be delayed, seems to indicate that the concept of cause and effect has escaped them.

If one puts road blocks in the road, one cannot reasonably complain when shipments that use the road are late.

or should we all just think about worldwide terrorism and forget about dirty corporate practices ?

Certainly both are important, but political violence would - in my opinion - take precedence.

Maybe if all this effort and money went into feeding the starving people in the world, instead of some political agenda, the world would be better off.

i don't know.. if AMD has gained no ground through legal action in the US, it's pretty suspicious that the EU is considering making another case - especially after the microsoft case, and considering that both companies here are US companies! Who is on these commissions, anyway? businessmen, politicians, or lobbyiests?

The EU, as a block of many countries, gives a lot of aid to developing nations, and takes a big humanitarian role in africa and the mid east. They work to increase trade between their member states and other countries. They're not idle. But they're holding a baseball bat now, and seem eager to strike at any large company who happens to be in their sphere of influence. So much concern for global businesses, when their primary concerns are stated to be unifying their member's economies, foriegn and domestic policies, and doing humanitarian work.

Are they really trying to protect AMD's interests, or are they the next Manchurian Global, trying to undermine the only currency that outpaces theres: the american dollar, by striking at her largest companies?

You know, if they keep hitting US companies, and US companies think twice about doing business in the EU's sphere of influence, then the EU's economy strengthens, and their currency goes up while ours goes down.

They work to increase trade between their member states and other countries. They're not idle. But they're holding a baseball bat now, and seem eager to strike at any large company who happens to be in their sphere of influence. So much concern for global businesses, when their primary concerns are stated to be unifying their member's economies, foriegn and domestic policies, and doing humanitarian work.

That pretty well sums it up in a nutshell, instead of concentrating on is own affairs, the EU has taken it upon itself to become corporate policemen to the world. The thing wrong with this (the EU exerting its influence over non-EU corporations) is that it can have an adverse affect on economies, employment and communities it has absolutely no jurisdiction over whatsoever.

Microsoft and Intel might be U.S. based, but both have become global corporations, and I see the EU setting a dangerous precedent for itself here. Given its relentless pursuit of MS, and now Intel also in its sights, other global corporations are quite likely to become wary/reluctant of doing business with EU member countries. It all seems rather counter-productive to me....certainly of no benifit to EU consumers who want to purchase MS products but can't because Bill Gates has told the EU to go and get stuffed.

I doubt any number of corporations could bankrupt the EU!

Okay, so I made rather flippant comment, but it's like they say....it's the thought that counts.

However, whilst Microsoft and Intel alone would be unable to bankrupt the EU, if they and other corporations decided to boycott trade over the bully boy tactics, it would create a marketplace and employment vacuum, thus creating an economic crisis within EU member countries. One would hope it doesn't come to that, but the wise gazelle doesn't put its head in the lions mouth. Likewise, wise corporations will want to avoid doing business with a bloc that seems only too eager to mount legal challenges against them, thus tying up resources and reducing profit by inhibiting their ability to trade freely.

I am certainly no expert on the EU, but having seen them go after Microsoft and then balking at the thought that a Vista release in Europe may be delayed, seems to indicate that the concept of cause and effect has escaped them.

Very well put, Corky! It would seem those decision makers of the EU are so far up themselves, incapable of lateral thinking/vision, the cause and effect concept has never been a consideration/part of the thought process.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it, how many politicians/bureaucrats are contortionists ....being so many of them have their heads so far up their backsides they only see the light of day when they yawn.