FTC heralds Intel settlement

FTC heralds Intel settlement

SAN FRANCISCO

The Federal Trade Commission is trumpeting its settlement with Intel Corp. as a victory for consumers who have overpaid for computer chips for a decade, though computer buyers shouldn’t expect a sudden drop in prices.

The deal announced Wednesday represents the end to the harshest antitrust lawsuit Intel has faced yet from government regulators, and it imposes the strictest set of changes to the way Intel does business.

But any changes as a result of the FTC’s actions likely would be gradual and possibly imperceptible to most people.

One reason is that the prices for computer chips have fallen steadily anyway as technological advancements make it cheaper for companies such as Intel to make more powerful chips. Consumers have gotten used to getting more computer for less money every time they go shopping.

Associated Press