FTC ends Intel probe

The Federal Trade Commission has formally dropped charges that Intel stifled innovation in the microchip industry.

The FTC's 3-1 vote finally resolves an antitrust action filed in June 1998, accusing Intel of illegally targeting three customers.

The FTC had alleged that Intel acted as a monopolist when it illegally threatened to withhold crucial product information and chip samples from Intergraph, Compaq, and Digital Equipment (now part of Compaq) after the companies independently refused to license their respective technology to the chip giant.

Despite the settlement, Intgel says the FTC is continuing a broad investigation, probing virtually all of Intel's business practices.

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