Intel, the world's largest chip maker, resolves a high-profile legal dispute over accusations that it illegally smothered competition for over a decade.

The company, which settled the U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint without paying any fine, agreed to stop using threats and unfair discounts to block its rivals. The company also agreed to give rivals access to its processor technology for six years.

Nvidia, the graphics chip maker, which first brought the complaint to the trade body along with Advanced Micro Devices, saw its shares jump 4.25 percent. Nvidia has a pending suit against Intel for anti-competitive practices.

The settlement did not come as a surprise. Shares of Intel barely changed, closing at $20.73 on Nasdaq.

The FTC brought forth the complaint against Intel in December. The company was accused of using its market dominance to unfairly stifle competition. Intel makes 80 percent of microprocessors worldwide.

The deal also prohibits the company from retaliating against computer makers for doing business with non-Intel suppliers. Intel also agreed to give access to its central processing units for the next six years to makers of complementary products such as graphics chips.

Intel denies any wrongdoing. The company says that the changes in its business practices would not have any impact on its financial results.