TECHNOLOGY - Nov. 3, 1995
<i> Times Staff and Wire Reports</i>
Dell Computer Drops Claims, Settles FTC Charges: Dell Computer Corp. has agreed to drop patent claims on a widely used computer component, settling Federal Trade Commission charges that the company was unfairly restricting competition in the personal computer industry. The FTC charged that Austin, Tex.-based Dell, a leading PC manufacturer, claimed patent rights on technology used in a computer’s VL-bus, after participating in a group that adopted industry-wide design standards for the device. The FTC said the agreement marked the first time federal authorities have taken action against a company for allegedly trying to raise its rivals’ costs by abusing industry standard-setting processes.
