It was at Computex in 2001 that four Intel execs hatched a cunning plot to undermine upstart competitor VIA. They decided to rid the Taipei trade show of the chipset designer's - balloons. Yes, that's right: Chipzilla burst the VIA promo balloons festooning the booths of mutual customers, namely the mobo makers.

For this heinous crime, four Intel executives fingered by VIA, stood trial in Taipei. The verdict, delivered on New Year's Eve? Not guilty, Digitimes reports.

The reason? Intel had secured the permission of sundry mobo makers in writing to remove VIA balloons from their stands.

VIA says it is to appeal, as the balloon-bursting episode is evidence yet again of Intel's monopolistic anti-competitive behaviour. Surely, it's time to give this one up, VIA? There's plenty of court action elsewhere, to be getting on with. ®

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