September 28, 2006 – A federal judge in Delaware has dismissed much of AMD’s antitrust lawsuit against rival Intel Corp., saying that it doesn’t have jurisdiction over alleged misdeeds committed overseas.

AMD filed suit in 2005, claiming Intel had used anticompetitive practices to secure and maintain its top position in the x86 processor market, including pressuring several dozen companies in the PC manufacturing and sales chain. Intel says US antitrust laws do not apply to alleged harms that may have occurred elsewhere — arguing that AMD makes leading-edge semiconductors at its new facility in Germany, and many of them are sold in Asian markets.

The judge also set an April 27, 2009 trial date or AMD to continue its US antitrust case against Intel, and noted that AMD can petition for the court to reconsider its position on introduction of foreign claims. “Our view of the judge’s order is that anything related to foreign jurisdictions, be it damages or discovery, is no longer part of the US case,” stated Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy, quoted by Reuters.

Doug Freedman, an analyst with American Technology Research, told the Associated Press that the decision was basically “a marketing tactic” to keep the pressure on Intel, and for Intel to claim victory over its rival, who has been seen taking market share and press lately. “It’s a win for Intel, but I’m not sure it’s a big loss for AMD,” he said. “The business practices they are seeking to have changed have already changed.”