With the European Commission (EC) announcing an over $1.5 billion 'antitrust' fine against Intel, saying that the company's alleged "illegal" competitive practices had harmed customers in the European Union (EU), the chip maker has strongly criticized the EC's handling of the case.

Accusing the EC of being 'discriminatory' in terms of the evidence it chose to consider, Intel said in a Monday document: "The Commission initiated the investigation with a predisposed view to alter the results of competition, and consequently tended to assess the evidence with a prosecutorial bent to confirm its point of view. In doing so, it ignored or minimized - and indeed at times even refused to obtain - important evidence that contradicted its view of the world."

In the document, available on the chip maker's Web site, Intel also mentioned EC's failure to comprehend the competitive context of the x86 processor and PC markets, and also the manner in which Intel competes with its closest rival, Advanced Micro Devices.

Reacting to the EC's decision, some US-based systems builders said that promotional activities like rebates are a 'normal' part of doing business; while others opined that the EC verdict and fine underline how Intel, at times, 'strongarms' system builders.

Saying that the EC probably wants to 'socialize' business, Todd Swank - VP of marketing at Northern Computer Technologies - termed EC's ruling and subsequent fine as a bunch of "hooey."