Intel prepares for heavy fine

The European Union will approve action against Intel on Wednesday, following nearly a decade of investigation in to its business practices.

According to the FT, Intel could be fined as much as ten per cent of its profit for 2008 – around $4 billion.

The company stands charged with using illegal rebates to retailers to shut any competition out of the market.

The investigation was originally begun following a complaint by AMD in 2000. Intel was formally charged in 2007, with additional charges being made last year.