WASHINGTON -- An administrative law judge ruled that Intel Corp. must reply to a government antitrust lawsuit by 13 July without a further explanation of the charges against it, documents showed Monday.
Intel asked that Judge James Timony order the Federal Trade Commission to spell out more clearly why it considers Intel a monopoly.
"It is hereby ordered that respondent's motion is denied," said Judge Timony in papers filed late Friday. He ordered Intel to file a reply brief to the main allegations against it by 13 July. Intel said it intends to file a response as ordered, but would not comment on the ruling.
In its 8 June lawsuit, the FTC charged that Intel violated the nation's antitrust laws, using monopoly power to pressure its competitors and customers to give up trade secrets. The FTC said Intel had illegally used its monopoly in microprocessors or "narrower markets contained therein."
Antitrust cases often turn on the question of market definition. Intel said the FTC was being vague about narrower markets. But the FTC said that Intel's objections were beside the point and that Intel could respond to the charges as they were written.
