[WCCFT]Samsung may aquire AMD

[Cloudfire777]

Companies are perfectly capable of making new deals.
Intel know they can`t operate alone. There are also laws against that.
It would be in Intel`s best interest to get a new deal signed before the company is split up, screwing up their position in the market. Intel`s position is the result of many many many years of hard work. Not just with their IPs but also the ton of work put in to building a customer and market relationship

 

[Stuka87]

It works both ways. And AMD cant make x86 or x64 CPUs without Intels IP.

AMD owns x64. Technically Intel can't make x64 CPU's without the license. But AMD can't make x64 CPUs without the x86 license.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Intel know they can`t operate alone. There are also laws against that.

No there isnt. There is a law against abusing a market position.

 

[Cloudfire777]

Is a monopoly allowed? How does that protect the customers?

 

[ShintaiDK]

Is a monopoly allowed? How does that protect the customers?

Yes a monopoly is allowed. There is no law against it.

The antitrust law protects the consumer against an abusing dominant company, cartel or the like..

 

[destrekor]

Is a monopoly allowed? How does that protect the customers?

Intel cannot make any business moves that results in AMD leaving the competition against them.

But Intel can continue doing business as usual if AMD were to leave the market on their own accord, such as through complete bankruptcy and dissolution, or a buyout which also then cut out the x86 business unit entirely. At that point, Intel cannot engage in abusive business practices due to its position.

Right now, Intel could still get in trouble with anti-monopoly claims if they were to really push the boundary of ethical practices, especially if AMD is a very weak competitor. Just like Microsoft can get into trouble even though Apple is technically in the market as a competitor.

Which is why if things get really dour, I actually wouldn't doubt if Intel gives AMD a cash infusion. Intel does in fact need AMD to stick around, it lets them charge a premium on various products and "get away with it" when AMD is a healthy competitor.