Intel said on Monday it had responded to antitrust charges filed by the European Commission and would seek a hearing, an Intel spokesman and a Commission spokeswoman said on Monday.

The Commission charged Intel in July 2007 with slashing prices below cost and offering huge rebates in an illegal attempt to drive smaller competitor AMD out of the market.

Intel says it has followed the law. The charges and the response are confidential.

The Commission confirmed that it had received the filing and an Intel spokesman said a hearing had been requested.

Typically, it takes several months in such a complex case before a hearing takes place.