FTC won't step up Intel antitrust probe-NYT

NEW YORK, Oct 22 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has rejected requests by lawmakers, other commissioners and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.N) to open a formal anti-trust investigation into Intel Corp (INTC.O), the New York Times reported on Monday.

Intel, the world's biggest maker of computer chips, has been cited for anti-competitive behavior for allegedly offering large discounts to computer makers in exchange for their not using products from AMD, the paper said.

Those faulting Intel include regulators with the European Commission and Korea, the Times said. Japanese officials also made similar accusations in 2005, it said. Intel controls some 80 percent to 90 percent of the microchip market, it said.

The FTC has been conducting an informal review of the complaints for more than a year.

But FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras has rejected requests to elevate the inquiry into a formal investigation, which would give staff members the authority to issue subpoenas and compel testimony, the Times said, citing unnamed government officials and lawyers involved in the matter.

Representatives of Intel and the FTC could not be reached for comment.