News Releases for July 1996
July 31, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 31, 1996
FTC Law Judge Upholds Price-Fixing Charges Against Interpreters Association
Los Angeles Olympics Committee Among Groups Forced to Pay Higher Prices,
Adhere to Other Anticompetitive Rules, Judge Holds - FOR RELEASE: JULY 30, 1996
T.V. Marketer Atida Karr To Pay Civil Penalty To Settle Charges; Infomercials for Acne-Statin Are Deceptive
The marketer of an over-the-counter acne treatment, Acne-Statin, has agreed to pay a $200,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that ads touting the product as an effective treatment for severe or cystic acne were deceptive.
July 26, 1996
- For Your Information: JULY 26, 1996
FTC begins efforts to repeal its Used Oil Rule as unnecessary and duplicative; seeks public comments until August 26
The Federal Trade Commission has begun efforts to repeal its Used Oil Rule as unnecessary and duplicative, and is seeking comments from the public on the proposed repeal for 30 days, until August 26. - For Your Information: JULY 26, 1996
Announced Actions for July 26, 1996
Commission action regarding applications for prior approval: Following a public comment period, the FTC has ruled on an application from the following: - For Your Information: JULY 26, 1996
FTC Seeks Public Comment Until August 27, 1996 on B.A.T Industries p.l.c. Application for Approval To Divest Six Brands of Discount Cigarettes
B.A.T Industries p.l.c. and its subsidiary, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, have applied for Federal Trade Commission approval to divest six brands of discount cigarettes and a plant in Reidsville, North Carolina, to Commonwealth Tobacco, LLC, a subsidiary of Commonwealth Brands, Inc. The brands to be divested are:
July 25, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 25, 1996
FTC Maintains Competition in Market for Chemical Used in Treating Patients with Kidney Disease
Hemodialysis Concentrate Manufacturer Agrees to Divest Plant
To Minnesota Company to Settle Antitrust Concerns - FOR RELEASE: JULY 25, 1996
FTC Hits the "Jackpot": Announces Enforcement Actions Against Phony Prize Promotions and a Recovery Room
State Attorneys General and U.S. Postal Service Join Effort
July 24, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 24, 1996
FTC Challenges Anticompetitive Practices of Nation's Leading Fire Truck Pump Manufacturers
The nation’s two leading manufacturers of fire pumps made for installation onto fire trucks have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that each imposed restraints requiring their customers to deal exclusively in that manufacturer’s pumps.
July 23, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 23, 1996
Virginia Invention-Promotion Firm To Pay $1 Million in Redress
Global Development Services, Inc., an invention promotion firm with offices in Manassas, Virginia, has agreed to pay $1 million for consumer refunds under a settlement announced by the Federal Trade Commission today. - FOR RELEASE: JULY 23, 1996
Debt Collector Seattles FTC Charges of Violations of Fair Credit Reporting and Fair Debt Collection Acts
Agency alleges harassing calls, threats, profanity in telephone contacts - FOR RELEASE: JULY 23, 1996
“Tutor Time” Day Care Franchisor To Pay $220,000 Penalty
Tutor Time Child Care Systems, Inc., a nationwide franchisor of day-care centers, has agreed to pay a $220,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it has overstated the earnings potential of franchise owners, the length of time it takes to open a center, and other important facts about owning a Tutor Time franchise.
July 22, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 22, 1996
Major Seller of Vending Machne Distributorships To Pay $1 Million To Settle FTC Charges
Antares Corporation, trading and doing business as Natural Choice-USA, ORION Products Corporation, and their president Dana M. Bashor (collectively ORION), have agreed to pay $1 million in consumer redress to settle Federal Trade Commission charges of misrepresenting, among other things, the potential earnings of prospective distributors, and using shills as references.
July 19, 1996
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 19, 1996
Statement from FTC on Proposed Acquisition by Time Warner, Inc. of Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission today directed its staff to work out the details of a proposed final agreement with the parties on the proposed acquisition by Time Warner of Turner Broadcasting Systems and present an executed consent order to the Commission for consideration within three weeks. - For Your Information: JULY 19, 1996
Announced Actions for July 19, 1996
Commission action regarding applications for prior approval: Following a public comment period, the FTC has ruled on an application from the following: - For Your Information: JULY 19, 1996
Mayo Medical Laboratories
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission said in a letter made public today that it would not recommend that the Commission challenge a plan by Mayo Medical Laboratories to establish networks of hospital labs to perform services for outpatients who are members of managed care plans. - For Your Information: JULY 19, 1996
Open Video System
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice have told the Federal Communications Commission that it should not require Open Video System (OVS) operators to carry the programming of competing, in-region cable operators.
July 16, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 16, 1996
Quaker State Ads for Slick 50 Are False and Misleading, FTC Charges
The Federal Trade Commission has charged Quaker State - Slick 50, Inc., the manufacturer of Slick 50, the best-selling auto engine treatment in the U.S., with making false and unsubstantiated advertising claims. - CORRECTION: JULY 16, 1996
Corrected Internet Address of Defendant in FTC Case
A news release the Federal Trade Commission issued on June 27, 1996, announcing charges against Infinity Multimedia, Inc. and Quality Marketing Associates, Inc., both of Pompano Beach, Florida, in connection with the business opportunities they were offering, listed an incorrect Internet address for the defendants’ World Wide Web home page.
July 15, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 15, 1996
FTC Negotiates Settlement in Ahold/Stop & Shop Merger
The Federal Trade Commission, in an effort to keep supermarket prices competitive in numerous areas of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, has negotiated an agreement with Ahold USA, Inc. and its parent company that would require Ahold to divest a total of 30 supermarkets (or supermarket properties) in 14 communities.
July 12, 1996
- For Your Information: JULY 12, 1996
Announced Actions for July 12, 1996
Applications for prior approval of transactions: The FTC has received an application for prior approval of a divestiture from the following. The application will be subject to public comment for 30 days, until Aug. 12.
July 11, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 11, 1996
FTC Positions Itself for the 21st Century
REAUTHORIZATION TESTIMONY HIGHLIGHTS MORE EFFICIENT, BETTER INFORMED ENFORCEMENT - FOR RELEASE: JULY 11, 1996
Home Shopping Network Settles FTC Charges that Advertising Claims Lacked Scientific Support
Home Shopping Network, Inc. (HSN) and two of its subsidiaries have agreed to secure scientific evidence to back up claims that any food, supplement or drug can treat a disease or affect a function of the body. HSN signed an agreement including this provision to settle the Federal Trade Commission’s 15-month-old deceptive advertising lawsuit against them.
July 10, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 10, 1996
Victoria Streitfeld Named FTC's Public Affairs Director
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky has named Victoria Streitfeld the new Director of Public Affairs for the agency, putting her in charge of the office that directs the FTC’s relations with reporters and other members of the media. - FOR RELEASE: JULY 10, 1996
Computer Software Manufacturer Agrees to Settle Charges of Software Misrepresentation
Syncronys Softcorp, of Culver City, California, and three of the company’s officers have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they misrepresented and/or failed to substantiate the performance of two computer software programs they manufactured.
July 9, 1996
- EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: JULY 9, 1996
Small Businesses, Churches, Nursing Homes Are Targets of Bogus Business Supply Companies
Federal, State Law Enforcers Announce 18 Cases From Joint Crackdown,
Close Dozens Of Scam Operations - For Your Information: JULY 9, 1996
Announced Actions for July 9, 1996
Applications for prior approval of transactions: The FTC has received an application for prior approval of a divestiture from the following. The application will be subject to public comment for 30 days, until Aug. 8.
July 8, 1996
- For Your Information: JULY 8, 1996
Consumers may soon see a new name on the fiber content labels
Consumers may soon see a new name on the fiber content labels of certain items of clothing, such as swim suits, cycling pants and ski pants.
July 3, 1996
- FOR RELEASE: JULY 3, 1996
$200,000 Bond is the Price of Offering Future Business Ventures for Defendant in FTC Popcorn Vending Machine Case
Dale Merritt, who was charged by the Federal Trade Commission along with his firm, Showcase Distributing, Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona, as part of a nationwide crackdown on business opportunity fraud, has agreed to post a $200,000 bond for the protection of his customers before offering any franchise or business venture for the next 10 years. - FOR RELEASE: JULY 3, 1996
“Rust Evader” Inventor Settles FTC Charges
Agreement Prohibits Use of Brand Name, Includes $200,000 in Consumer Redress
July 2, 1996
- For Your Information: JULY 2, 1996
FTC Extends Public Comment Period on "Lemon Buyback" Practices
Deadline Now July 29, 1996; Public Forum October 3, 1996
July 1, 1996
- For Your Information: JULY 1, 1996
FTC Turns Out the Lights on 1970 Light Bulb Rule
The Federal Trade Commission has repealed its Trade Regulation Rule Concerning the Incandescent Lamp (Light Bulb) Industry, the eighth Trade Regulation Rule the Commission has repealed in the last several months.
Rev. Wednesday, July 31, 1996