EU watchdog probes Nvidia {hardware} bundling because it scrutinises Run:ai deal

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU antitrust regulators are asking Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) prospects if they’ve been supplied reductions to purchase the corporate’s graphics processing unit (GPU) software program merchandise along with its {hardware} as they scrutinise its $700 million bid for Run:ai.

In a questionnaire seen by Reuters, the EU watchdog centered on potential practices that would tighten Nvidia’s grip on GPUs, the place it has a near-monopoly with an 84% market share, far forward of rivals Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD).

GPUs are chips that break down a pc process into smaller items and course of them collectively. They’re extremely wanted by expertise firms for his or her information centres, by online game console makers, and even by bitcoin miners.

The European Fee, which acts because the European Union’s competitors enforcer, has beforehand warned that the deal threatens competitors in markets the place the 2 firms function and has set a Dec. 20 deadline for its preliminary evaluate.

“Does an organization that gives a bundle of GPU Orchestration Software program (ETR:SOWGn) and {hardware}/GPU have a aggressive benefit?” the Fee doc requested Nvidia prospects. 

“To your information, have end-users been required or induced (for instance, with reductions) to buy GPU Orchestration Software program as a bundle along with software program or different {hardware}?”

Respondents have been additionally requested in regards to the affect of the deal on their enterprise if Nvidia have been to run Run:ai as open-source.

Nvidia was not instantly accessible for remark.