Reports from the Asian Pacific region that Intel was putting pressure on Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers to delay their K7 implementations were firmly squashed today. The reports, which we have been unable to confirm, suggested that the select Big Five Taiwanese firms were being asked, nicely, to hold up their production of K7 motherboards. But an Intel representative said today that because of the ethical stance and reporting procedures in the company, such a position would never be taken. AMD said it would be very surprised if such a thing was happening. At press time we were awaiting calls back from the Taiwanese Big Five. Earlier this year, senior Intel VP Paul Otellini said he would fire anyone on the spot who used unethical techniques when selling. ®