BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The European Commission today ruled that Intel abused its dominance in the x86 microprocessor market and imposed a fine of 1.06 billion euros. Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) president Jonathan Zuck offered the following comments in response: "The European Commission's efforts to manipulate competition in the technology industry without identifying actual consumer harm are worrying. Innovation and competition are thriving throughout the industry, and even the most successful firms must continue innovating and competing on price or risk being toppled."

"The microprocessor industry is not an exception. The software industry depends on continued competition and innovation on the x86 platform, and we are worried about regulators distorting this market and potentially slowing innovation. For the past 20 years, the microprocessor industry has delivered more innovation, more speed, more functionality, and lower prices. Over the past ten years, the average price of Intel's P C micr o p r o c e ss o rs h as d r o p p ed by 6 0 % . W h en t h e on ly o n e c o m p l a i n i n g a b o u t t h e comp e titi v e s i t u ati o n is AM D, it raises seri o us c on cerns abo u t t h e effi c acy o f t h is a c ti o n ."