Intel and the Federal Trade Commission filed motions on Monday to suspend trial proceedings while both negotiate settlement of a lawsuit, in which the agency accused the company of abusing its market dominance. Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Intel today filed a joint motion to suspend administrative trial proceedings while the parties consider potential settlement of the case originally filed by the FTC on Dec. 16, 2009.

The motion opens a window through July 22, 2010, during which time the parties will review and discuss a proposed consent order, Intel said, adding that the terms of the proposed consent order are confidential and that the company will make no additional public comment on the matter at this time.

The U.S. government accused Intel in December of illegally stifling competition, in a lawsuit the agency said sought to stop the marketing practices that have helped maintain Intel's status as the world's top chip maker for years.

The commission said Intel had been trying to shut out competitors in maneuvers dating back to 1999.

Rivals AMD and Nvidia have also accused Intel of anti-competitive behavior. Intel agreed in November to pay AMD $1.25 billion to settle their litigation.