NVIDIA CEO Says FTC Charges Can Help Even the Playing Field

Just yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission filed its own antitrust lawsuit against Intel, claiming that the chip maker engaged in anticompetitive tactics in order to keep and/or strengthen its monopoly on the CPU market. The FTC also alludes to Intel possibly feeling threatened by the advent of GPUs, which, the Commission says, can directly impact upon the company's monopoly. Intel has already challenged the claims, but, in the meantime, other IT Industry players have begun to say their piece. NVIDIA is one of them.

An internal memo written by the NVIDIA CEO, Jen Hsun Huang, suggests that FTC's action may have very far-reaching consequences. The memo directly supports the lawsuit, saying that it's what the industry and the consumers deserve (and need), and even goes as far as openly stating that Intel allegedly used unlawful means to hamper their progress.

“Intel is fully aware that great graphics have become one of the most important features for consumer PCs, the fastest-growing segment of the PC market. Even more alarming to Intel is the revolutionary parallel computing technology in our GPUs that is being adopted by software developers across the world. The more successful we became, the bigger threat we were to Intel's monopoly. Instead of creating competitive GPU solutions and competing on the merits of their products, Intel has resorted to unlawful acts to stop us. The FTC announced today that this isn't acceptable.”

Jen Hsun Huang considers that the charges represent a huge step forward and will allow “all of us” (meaning, all chip developers with a chance to threaten Intel's monopoly) to “re-level the playing field.” He also states that the IT industry as a whole may be completely transformed if the Administrative Judge eventually rules in favor of the plaintiff.

“Today's FTC announcement highlights the industry-changing impact of the GPU and the importance of our work. Our innovation is making the PC magical and amazing again. I can now imagine the day when Intel can no longer block consumers from enjoying our creation and experience computing in a way we know is possible.”

The chief executive officer says that, even if the judge's decision, if ruled in FTC's favor, were to be appealed, the Commission's move itself would still be a big step forward.