WASHINGTON – Intel Corp., the world’s largest computer chip-maker, cannot use threats, retaliation or exclusive deals to block customers from buying competitors’ products under a settlement of antitrust charges, the Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday.

The settlement covers graphics chips, central processors and chip sets, the FTC said.

Additional Photos

“This case demonstrates that the FTC is willing to challenge anticompetitive conduct by even the most powerful companies in the fastest-moving industries,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said Wednesday. At left is Richard Feinstein of the Bureau of Competition. The Associated Press

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel has modified some of its business practices in recent years following pressure from rivals and antitrust authorities, analysts said. The settlement puts in writing some of these changes and won’t require Intel to overhaul its business policies, said Patrick Wang, an analyst at Wedbush Securities Inc. in New York.

Intel’s rivals said they supported the settlement’s terms.

“The FTC has acted firmly in the interest of American consumers to safeguard the competitive process in the critically important microprocessor and graphics markets,” said Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Intel’s closest competitor, in a statement.

The agreement will lead to “a more competitive environment for our industry,” said Hector Martinez, a spokesman for Nvidia Corp., the world’s second-largest maker of computer-graphics chips.

Under the settlement, Intel agreed not to give computer makers any “benefits” in exchange for promises they will buy chips exclusively from Intel, the FTC said. The company can’t withhold these benefits from customers that also buy from Intel’s competitors, the agency said.

The settlement will require Intel to change agreements with AMD, Nvidia and Via Technologies in Taiwan so the chip-makers can enter into mergers and joint ventures with other companies without fearing a patent-infringement lawsuit from Intel.

The FTC lacks the power to fine Intel unless the company violates the settlement.

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