http://www.cnbc.com/id/33620874/site/140...

Jim Goldman brings up a few GREAT points:

But here's some background worth considering. Why are these charges being made today? Could it have something to do with the upcoming AMD vs. Intel anti-trust suit that comes to trial in Delaware in March? Isn't it strange that Cuomo filed his suit, not in New York State court, but — you guessed it — in Delaware? An Intel source says it sure sounds to him as if the NY AG is "piling on" when it comes to anti-trust charges and Intel. And if there's a settlement to be made, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars, why not try to hitch your wagon to the Intel settlement gravy train? Did the European Union's $1.45 billion fine against Intel have anything to do with emboldening Cuomo?

Isn't it strange that this is the second major action filed by Cuomo in the last four days against a California corporate powerhouse? He filed collusion and kickback charges against Amgen last Friday in a case that generated enormous headlines. I don't know but something smells a little funny here. Is Cuomo making a run for NY governor on the backs of companies 3,000 miles away? Seems very odd to me.

The proof is in the marketplace.

If prices remained stable, and Microsoft was unable to release Windows 7 because Intel's chip innovation was unable to keep up then sure, the charges may have some merit. I have followed, exceptionally closely, the charges and counter-charges in the Intel vs. AMD saga, or Intel vs. The World, depending on your perspective. The timing of all this is suspect. If Cuomo wanted to make a statement on behalf of the good people of New York, his case would have been filed months, even years ago.

A filing today, now, seems more about politics and revenue generation for a state that could certainly use some settlement scratch, and less about consumer protection.