Intel is officially being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission, writes the Wall Street Journal. The CPU maker has been accused of violating US antitrust laws, specifically for a practice of using exclusive rebates and other tactics designed to discourage builders from turning to other companies. The case appears to be the result of long-term pressure from rival AMD, which has yet to resolve an antitrust lawsuit first filed in 2005. Another government probe began this year in the state of New York, with the help of local politicians.

Intel denies allegations, saying its practices are "well within US law." It has in fact cooperated with informal FTC investigations since 2006, supplying what the company describes as "thousands of documents."

Efforts on the part of AMD have already shown some success outside of the United States, with investigations being launched in Europe, Japan and South Korea. The only conclusive result however has come from Korea, which has imposed a fine of $25.4 million on Intel.