EXCLUSIVE: here's the complete AMD Skype subpoena

Larger images at this link. 

Earlier this week, chip-maker AMD served Skype with a subpoena, demanding more information about what AMD views as an unfair a deal between Skype and AMD rival Intel that lets 10 individuals participate in Skype calls on some Intel-powered PCs.

On the other hand, Skype 2.0 users who are accessing Skype on AMD-powered  PCs can only connect with five particpants simultaneously.

Skype says this limitation is attributable to AMD technology. AMD does not buy this.

Earlier on Wednesday I received a communication from an AMD representative saying in part that:

Skype has artificually disabled this 10-way voice conference calling feature – for AMD users at Intel’s request.

"This is an artificial limitation," the representative added. " Indeed, the details we know strongly suggest there is absolutely no technological basis for this exclusive arrangement.

"This deal is bad for consumers and bad for competition – and it runs counter to the inherently open nature of the Internet," the representative added. "That’s why we need to find out what’s really behind it. Is this what Intel means by “Leap Ahead”? It’s just further evidence of Intel using its market power to maintain its monopoly at all costs – even if that means hurting consumers by punishing those who’ve decided AMD offers the best technology to meet their needs."

I will be writing more about this issue in very short order, but for now, I think you’ll want to see the subpoena.

I have included all of the images here, but as I mentioned at the top of this post if you want to see them in larger sizes, they are now posted to the ZDNet image gallery at this link.

Page 1, which is at the top of this post, contains basic information on who is filing the subpoena, and who is to respond to it.

Page 2 defines the terminology used in the subpoena. Read it, because it is essential to understanding the remainder of the document:

"Lawyers." Yea, I know. But now it’s time for Page 3, which describes what it is that Skype is being asked to produce:

Page 4 of the subpoena is where it really starts getting interesting, people. AMD wants a look under the hood at this whole issue: documents, testing procedures, etc.:

Page 5, which is the last page of said subpoena, is a continuation of the documents AMD is demanding, and what the chipmaker perceives these documents contain:

Stick around. I’ll be writing and reporting a lot more in the coming days and weeks. This one is really getting ready to heat up.