Intel-McAfee deal comes under EU scrutiny

EU bods reportedly concerned over Intel's plans to integrate McAfee's security technology into its chips

Intel’s acquisition of McAfee could drag on for longer than first anticipated following suggestions that European Union bods are getting jumpy about the deal.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, the EU’s anti-trust regulator has privately expressed concerns about the transaction during its preliminary review.

One potential stumbling block is Intel’s stated plans to incorporate McAfee’s security features into its chips, the newspaper said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

It is feared this could potentially disadvantage rival security software vendors, whom the commission is consulting via questionnaire.

Intel intially said it hoped the $7.68bn deal would close by Q1 2011 and maybe as soon as before the end of this year. However, a statement released on Intel’s web site last week suggested those ambitions have been scaled back, with the transaction now expected to close “some time in the first half of 2011".

“We are happy to announce that all required pre-close regulatory filings around the world have been made and the matter is now under review in those respective jurisdictions,” the statement added.

According to the WSJ article, the EU’s concerns could prompt it to submit the deal to a lengthy examination. This decision would have to be made by 12 January.