FTC won't formally investigate Intel

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. trade watchdog refused to open an antitrust investigation of chip-making giant Intel officials involved in the proceedings said.

Regulators in South Korea and with the European Commission recently accused Intel of antitrust violations by offering huge discounts to computer makers if they don't use products by rival Advanced Micro Devices, The New York Times reported.

The Federal Trade Commission has conducted an informal review of the complaint for more than a year, gathering documents from Intel and its customers. But the commission’s chairwoman, Deborah P. Majoras, rejected requests to elevate the inquiry to a formal investigation, the Times reported.

The fight between Intel and Advanced Micro Devices is among the largest antitrust matters before U.S. and foreign regulators. Besides lobbying regulators worldwide, AMD sued Intel in a federal court in Delaware.

Advanced Micro Devices has asserted that Intel offers rebates and discounts, effectively resulting in its chips being sold below production cost, a practice that some courts said could be an antitrust violation. Intel said it offers discounts and rebates but denied its prices are below cost or at predatory levels, the Times' report said.