CCI completes probe into Intel's alleged anti-competitive ways

CCI probe arm DG looked into allegations that Intel abused its dominant market position, indulged in 'restrictive trade practices'

Fair trade regulator Competition Commission has completed its investigations into global chip maker Intel's alleged abuse of dominant position in the Indian market.

Competition Commission of India's (CCI) probe arm, Director General (DG), has submitted its "voluminous" report to the regulator, a source said. However, the findings of the DG could not be immediately ascertained.

According to the source, the DG looked into allegations that Intel abused its dominant market position and indulged in "restrictive trade practices".

When contacted for comments on CCI investigation, an Intel spokesperson said: "We believe our business practices are lawful".

"We have been co-operating with CCI for the past 18 months based on a complaint filed in conjunction with a business legal dispute with an Indian distributor," the spokesperson said in an e mailed statement.

US-based Intel Corp is a leading player in computing innovation, designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices, according to its website.

Cases where the Commission has found prima facie evidence of violating competition norms are referred to the DG for detailed investigation.

Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002, relates to abuse of dominant position by enterprises. Abuse of dominance broadly falls into two categories, exploitative and exclusionary.

While exploitative generally refers to discriminatory pricing, exclusionary relates to denial of market access, among others.