FTC approves settlement with Intel

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved the settlement with Intel Corporation, effectively ending the company's antitrust problems. Per the agreement, Intel has agreed to refrain from withholding technical information from companies with which it is involved in an intellectual property dispute. In stark contrast to the protracted government battle with Microsoft, FTC chairman Robert Pitofsky said that Intel had worked cooperatively with the FTC "in an exceptionally reasonable and constructive way."

"I am very gratified that we could come to these terms with the FTC in a cooperative spirit," said Intel CEO Craig Barrett. "Although we have different interpretations regarding Intel's market position and the legality of our past actions, the compromise provides a framework for resolving future intellectual-property disputes with our customers.