The European Commission has imposed a record fine against Intel Corp of $1.45 billion (1.06 billion euros) for violating antitrust rules and other practices used to exclude competitor AMD from the computer chip market.

"Given that Intel has harmed millions of European consumers by deliberately acting to keep competitors out of the market for over five years, the size of the fine should come as no surprise," European Union Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told a news briefing Wednesday.

The Commission found that Intel gave wholly or partially hidden rebates to computer manufacturers on the condition they bought all, or almost all, their chips from Intel. Intel also made direct payments to a major retailer on the condition it stock only computers
 with Intel chips.

In addition, Intel made direct payments to computer manufacturers to halt or delay the launch of specific products containing competitors' chips and to limit the sales channels available to these products.

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