FTC Expected to Vote Today to Sue Intel

The Federal Trade Commission is expected to vote today to sue giant computer chip maker Intel Corp., charging it violated antitrust laws by using monopoly power to coerce customers and rivals.

Sources close to the case expect the FTC’s four members will vote to charge that Intel abused market power by forcing other companies to surrender their trade secrets.

Both the company and the FTC declined comment.

In preparing its case, the FTC staff has looked at Intel’s relationship with an Alabama computer maker, Intergraph Corp., and its sometimes convoluted relations with other leading PC makers, according to industry sources.

The case likely to be approved today will be a first step against Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel while an investigation continues. Later, the FTC will try to expand the charges, according to sources within and outside the government.