Intel is the world's largest chipmaker and its dominant position in the market has led to allegations of anticompetitive practices being frequently levied against the company. Intel has fought anti-trust issues both in America and abroad.

EWeek reports that Intel has been denied an oral hearing on the latest antitrust probe currently underway in the European Union. Intel reports that it responded on February 5 to antitrust charges filed with the European Commissions that allege it tried to exclude rival chipmaker AMD from the European market for x86 CPUs.

According to the European Commission, Intel requested an oral hearing and a hearing officer denied Intel's request. The official said, "The Commission will nevertheless assess whether the information submitted on Feb. 5 is necessary to properly conduct the administrative procedure in this antitrust case."

Intel Spokesman Chuck Mulloy said, "We filed an answer and we are waiting for the commission to make a determination." Mulloy noted that it was up to the Commission to decide the next step of the probe. He continued saying, "The next step is for them to analyze and make a decision going forward. The ball's in their court."

Microsoft is also fighting charges of antitrust in the European Union that allege the software giant is stifling internet browser competition with its practice of bundling Internet Explorer with the Windows Operating system. The charges were started by a complaint form the company behind the Opera browser.

So far, Microsoft has coughed up $2.4 billion in fines paid related to antitrust issues in Europe.