Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[imho]

Keith,

http://acer.de/acereuro/wr-resource/4248348578/upload/aent19/1/AMD_DE_MAY.pdf

Just what I was looking for to help me make my point to Mas. You notice this is a 4 page flyer highlighting ONLY AMD products from Acer. Acer also sells Intel products and uses the Intel inside logo, thus eligible for discounts. Now, does Intel have the right to hold back a portion of those discounts because this particular ad clearly highlights its competitor? Why should Intel subsidize Acer’s ad costs showcasing AMD products? You can see how easily the folks at AMD can interpret this to mean that by holding back this discount, Intel is forcing Acer to primarily sell Intel only products and thus exclude AMD. Intel is doing no such thing. This is an issue (assuming it is at the heart of the dispute) relating to advertising not selling.

Of course I do not know if this indeed is at the center of the JFTC case, but I am guessing it is something like this. If you can provide a link that shows Intel directly states to an OEM that they will not receive a discount because they sell AMD parts, then you have a valid point. Otherwise, Intel refusing to subsidize OEMs because they advertise AMD ONLY is not the same as forcing OEM’s to sell only Intel systems. Whatever the issue, keep in mind that it is an issue of interpretation. One in which the US FTC interpreted in favor of Intel, while the JFTC interpreted in favor of AMD.

IMHO