Intel settles antitrust case with New York for $6.5 million

An antitrust lawsuit filed by New York’s attorney general against Intel has been settled at a fraction of the original damages sought. Intel paid $6.5 million to settle the suit, which alleged that the company threatened PC companies and offered huge subsidies to make sure they would keep selling Intel-based computers. As part of the terms of the settlement, Intel will not be admitting any wrongdoing, and will not need to make any changes in its business practices.

This incredibly favorable result for Intel was made possible by a December court ruling that dismissed many of the charges, saying they were outside the statute of limitations for Delaware, where the claim was filed. Intel says the money it did pay was merely to defray court costs for the attorney general. Intel is still appealing claims of similar behavior in the European Union, where it was fined over a billion euros and ordered to end its practice of offering “rebates” to PC makers who used Intel chips exclusively. However, this settlement marks the end of the company’s active trial-level antitrust suits.