IDG News Service - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has extended settlement talks with Intel in the agency's antitrust investigation into the chip maker's treatment of its rivals.
The FTC on Wednesday announced that it has extended a temporary withdrawal of its antitrust case against Intel for two weeks while the two sides continue settlement discussions. The FTC first suspended legal actions on June 21, and the new extension will give settlement talks until Aug. 6. A proposed settlement is on the table, the FTC said in a press release.
The FTC in December filed an antitrust lawsuit against Intel, charging the world's largest computer chip maker with illegally using its dominant market position to stifle competition and strengthen its monopoly for a decade. The FTC alleged that Intel waged a "systematic campaign" to cut off rivals' access to the marketplace. Intel deprived consumers of choice and innovation in the microchip industry, the FTC alleged.
The FTC's decision to move forward with a case against Intel came a month after Intel settled antitrust and patent disputes with rival Advanced Micro Devices. Intel agreed to pay AMD US$1.25 billion in the settlement.
An Intel spokesman had no comment. The company can't discuss specific items in the settlement discussions, he said.
Grant Gross covers technology and telecom policy in the U.S. government for The IDG News Service. Follow Grant on Twitter at GrantusG. Grant's e-mail address is grant_gross@idg.com.
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