March 31, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 31, 1998
  Loewen Group to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty to Settle Federal Charges of Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Violations
  The Loewen Group Inc. and Loewen Group International, Inc. (Loewen) have agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to settle federal charges that Loewen failed to notify the nation's two antitrust enforcement agencies before it acquired stock in a competitor, Prime Succession, Inc. (Prime).

• FOR RELEASE: March 31, 1998
  Competitor's Agreement To Stop Production of Lead Antiknock Compounds Suppressed Competition, FTC Says
  The world's two largest manufacturers of lead antiknock gasoline additives, Octel and Ethyl, have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated the antitrust laws by arranging to close an Ethyl plant and have Ethyl obtain all of its future supply from Octel under an anticompetitive supply agreement.

March 30, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 30, 1998
  FTC Releases Report to Congress About Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act Accomplishments
  The Federal Trade Commission today released a report to Congress highlighting the Commission's achievements in complying with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA).

• FOR RELEASE: March 30, 1998
  Degussa Agrees to Settle FTC Charges
  Company Would Acquire One Plant and Seek Commission Approval for Any Other Related Transactions

• CORRECTED RELEASE: March 30, 1998
  Business Opportunity Defendants Settle FTC Charges
  Urso Group Used "Singers" and Bogus "Better Business Bureau" Copycat To Promote Profitability of Display Rack Business Opportunities
• FOR RELEASE: March 30, 1998
  Defendants Agree to Settle All FTC Charges in Project Mailbox Computer Repair Scam Case
  Jeffrey Rayden and Larry Wayne, two of the defendants charged by the Federal Trade Commission with operating a computer repair services contract scam, have agreed to separate settlements that would prohibit them from making any false or misleading representations when selling goods and services to consumers over the phone or by mail.

• FOR RELEASE: March 30, 1998
  FTC Staff Says Consumers Would Benefit if Direct Broadcast Satellite Operators are Permitted to Retransmit Local Broadcast Signals in Their Home Markets
  The Federal Trade Commission staff has concluded that consumers would benefit from a policy that would permit direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators to retransmit local broadcast channels to their home markets.

March 27, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 27, 1998
  Williams, MAPCO Settle FTC Charges
  The Williams Companies, Inc. and MAPCO, Inc., have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that portions of their merger could raise prices for consumers and violate federal antitrust laws.
• FOR RELEASE: March 27, 1998
  CVS To Pay $600,000 Civil Penalty for Violating FTC Asset Maintenance Agreement
  CVS Corporation has agreed to pay a $600,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company violated a 1997 consent order and asset maintenance agreement it signed with the agency to settle charges stemming from CVS's 1997 acquisition of Revco D.S., Inc.
• For Your Information: March 27, 1998
  Announced Action for March 27, 1998
  The FTC has approved the application of Schnuck Markets, Inc. to divest two stores to Mr. Joseph Koppeis and to Shop’N Save. The divestiture is part of a 1997 agreement with the FTC that settles charges the company allowed 24 stores that it was required to divest under a 1995 settlement with the FTC to become dirty, damaged, understaffed and understocked before completing the required divestitures.

March 26, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 26, 1998
  FTC Commissioner Mary L. Azcuenaga To Resign
  Federal Trade Commissioner Mary L. Azcuenaga today announced her resignation to be effective June 3, 1998. Azcuenaga has served as a commissioner during three presidential administrations.

• FOR RELEASE: March 26, 1998
  FTC Presents Testimony to Congress on Internet Privacy
  The Federal Trade Commission's Associate Director for Credit Practices, David Medine today presented Commission testimony on Internet privacy to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

• MEDIA ADVISORY : March 26, 1998
  A National Roundtable on Saving and Investing will launch a campaign to motivate Americans to "get the facts" they need to achieve financial security.
  A National Roundtable on Saving and Investing will launch a campaign to motivate Americans to "get the facts" they need to achieve financial security. The two-hour forum, sponsored by the Securities and Exchange Commission, will feature leading voices from government, business, consumer organizations and the media who will address ways to overcome critical barriers to saving and investing wisely.

March 25, 1998

• For Your Information: March 25, 1998
  Commission Releases 20th Annual Report to Congress about Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
  Debt collection continues to be a principal subject of many consumer complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission, the agency noted in its 20th Annual Report to Congress about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

March 24, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 24, 1998
  FTC Staff Supports Plan for Competition in Internet Domain Name System
  A plan to privatize the Internet domain name system and to introduce multiple, competitive registries could reduce consumer prices and improve quality, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureaus of Economics and Competition has told the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

• FOR RELEASE: March 24, 1998
  FTC Charges Two Firms That Control the Market for Laser Eye Surgery with Price-Fixing Conspiracy
  Agency Alleges Companies Overcharged Consumers $30 Million Last Year

• FOR RELEASE: March 24, 1998
  Willard Tom Named to New Antitrust Post at Federal Trade Commission
  Willard K. Tom has been named deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust arm, the Bureau of Competition.

• FOR RELEASE: March 24, 1998
  Pittsburgh Area Retailer Settles FTC Charges of Failure to Notify Job Applicants About Role Credit Reports Played in Turndown
  Willard K. Tom has been named deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust arm, the Bureau of Competition.

• REGULATORY REFORM UPDATE : March 24, 1998
  FTC Seeks Comments on Decorative Wall Paneling Industry Guides
  As part of its ongoing periodic review of its rules and guides, the Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on its Guides for the Decorative Wall Paneling Industry.

• For Your Information: March 24, 1998
  Announced Actions for March 24, 1998
  The Federal Trade Commission has made final consent orders with America Online, Inc. (AOL), Prodigy Services Corporation, and CompuServe, Inc. that will resolve FTC charges that the companies' "free trial" offers resulted in unexpected charges for many consumers.

March 20, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 20, 1998
  Mozelle W. Thompson Confirmed as Federal Trade Commissioner
  Mozelle W. Thompson was confirmed last night by the U.S. Senate as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission to a term that expires in September, 2003.

• FOR RELEASE: March 20, 1998
  Orson Swindle Confirmed as Federal Trade Commissioner
  Orson Swindle was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on March 19, as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission to a term that expires in September, 2004.

March 18, 1998

• For Your Information: March 18, 1998
  Announced Actions for March 18, 1998
  Applications for approval of transactions: The FTC has approved a request from TRW, Inc. to shorten the public comment from 30 days to 10 days for the company’s application to divest TRW’s Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) program Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) services operations to Computer Sciences Corporation.

• FOR RELEASE: March 18, 1998
  Professional Fundraiser Agrees to Settle Charges of Misrepresenting Donations' Benefits to Contributors' Local Law Enforcement
  The Federal Trade Commission has announced another enforcement action aimed at curbing deceptive charitable solicitations on behalf of local law enforcement agencies.
• FOR RELEASE: March 18, 1998
  Seller of Prepaid Phone Cards Settles Charges with FTC and New York State Attorney General
  One Million Dollar Performance Bond Required Before Defendant Can Market Prepaid Phone Cards In The Future

March 17, 1998

• For Your Information: March 17, 1998
  FTC Issues Annual Report to Congress on Cigarette Sales and Advertising for 1996
  The Federal Trade Commission's annual report to Congress on cigarette sales and advertising for 1996 shows a $212 million increase in advertising and promotional spending from 1995.

March 16, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 16, 1998
  FTC Testifies on Enforcement and Education Initiatives to Combat Abusive Lending Practices
  Predatory practices in the subprime mortgage lending market such as "equity stripping," "packing," and "flipping" and the threat these practices pose to vulnerable homeowners were the subjects of testimony delivered today by Jodie Bernstein, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

March 13, 1998

• MEDIA ADVISORY : March 13, 1998
  FTC To Testify about Abusive Lending Practices in the Subprime Mortgage Market
  Jodie Bernstein, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, will participate in a news conference with Senator Charles E. Grassley and Senator John Breaux about abusive lending practices in the subprime mortgage market.
• FOR RELEASE: March 13, 1998
  Debt Collector Pays Largest Penalty Ever Obtained by FTC in a Debt Collection Case: $626,810
  The Federal Trade Commission announced today that Robert James Smith, the owner of National Financial Services ("NFS"), a Baltimore, Maryland, debt collection agency, has paid a penalty of $625,810 to the U.S.
• For Your Information: March 13, 1998
  Announced Actions for March 13, 1998
  Petitions to reopen and modify or set aside orders: The FTC has received a petition from the following entity seeking termination of an FTC order. The FTC is seeking public comments on the newly-received petition for 30 days, until April 14, 1998.

March 12, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 31, 1998
  Judge Upholds FTC Charges:Doan's Claims of Superiority in Treating Back Pain are Unsubstantiated
  An administrative law judge has upheld Federal Trade Commission charges that ads claiming that Doan's pills are more effective in relieving back pain than other over-the-counter pain relievers are unsubstantiated and false.

March 11, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 11, 1998
  Federal Antitrust Agencies and State Attorneys General Announce Protocol for Joint Federal/State Merger Investigations
  The Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice and the National Association of Attorneys General today released a "Protocol" for how federal and state agencies will conduct joint and coordinated merger investigations.

March 6, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 6, 1998
  Federal-Mogul Would Divest T&N's Bearings Assets as Part of Agreement With FTC
  According to the terms of a proposed consent order announced today by the Federal Trade Commission, Federal-Mogul, one of the world's leading producers of thinwall bearings used in car, truck and heavy equipment engines, would divest the thinwall bearings assets it acquires in its $2.4 billion takeover of T&N, plc.

March 5, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 5, 1998
  Credit Repair? Buyer Beware!FTC, States Announce Crackdown On Scams That Bilk Consumers
  Consumers are still being bilked out of millions of dollars by bogus credit repair organizations, the Federal Trade Commission said today as it announced another project in its continuing effort to eliminate these illegal operations.

March 4, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 4, 1998
  FTC Sues Spammer:
  Alleges Business Opportunity Falsely Promoted In Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail
• FOR RELEASE: March 4, 1998
  FTC Halts Bogus Businesses;
  Get Rich Quick Promotions Count On Internet For Success

March 3, 1998

• FOR RELEASE: March 3, 1998
  FTC Will Seek To Block Mergers of Nation's Four Largest Drug Wholesalers into Two Companies
  Deals Would Lead to Higher Prices for Prescription Drugs and
  Reduction in Service Which Could Affect Patient Care
• FOR RELEASE: March 3, 1998
  Any Effort to Restrict Tobacco Advertising to Young People Must Be Sufficiently Broad to be Effective, FTC Chairman Tells Senate Commerce Committee
  Federal Trade Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky testified today before the Senate Commerce Committee and presented Commission testimony that addresses advertising, marketing and antitrust issues in the proposed global tobacco settlement.