Intel wins fresh review of EU’s €1.06bn antitrust fine

Intel won a round in its eight-year fight with the EU over a €1.06 billion fine in a case that could have ramifications for a list of disputes involving US tech giants including Google and Apple.

The EU’s top court ruled that Intel’s appeal had to be re-examined by a lower tribunal, criticising judges for failing to properly analyse the economic aspects of the case in the 2014 decision to reject the chip maker’s initial challenge.

The lower court “was required to examine all of Intel’s arguments” regarding a test to check whether the rebates used by the company was capable of harming competition, the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg has said. The lower tribunal — the EU General Court — has to examine “whether the rebates at issue were capable of restricting competition”.