The Wall Street Journal-20080213-Intel- Retailers Hit By EU Raids

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Intel, Retailers Hit By EU Raids

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The European Commission raided Intel Corp.'s German offices and several computer retailers as part of an antitrust investigation into the U.S. chip maker's alleged anticompetitive practices.

Intel said the commission raided its Munich offices and added it was "cooperating with the investigation." Retailers Metro AG of Germany, DSG International PLC of the U.K. and PPR SA of France said they were also caught up in the European Union sweep.

A spokesman for DSG International PLC, a U.K. electronics retailer, said EU officials were conducting an inspection at its retail support center in Hemel Hempstead, England. Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. said in 2006 that Metro unit Media Markt and Intel shut AMD out of the retailer's stores.

The EU began examining the issue that year. Intel has maintained its practices are fair and lawful.