News Releases for December 2000

To search News Releases select a year and month from the drop-down menus below.

For Release: December 28, 2000
Black & Decker and its Subsidiary, Kwikset Corp., Agree to Settle FTC Charges of Making Misleading "Made in USA" Claims
The Black and Decker Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Kwikset Corporation, have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they misrepresented that certain of Kwikset's residential locks and lock systems (locksets) are made in the United States.

For Your Information: December 27, 2000
Announced Actions for December 27, 2000
Commission amends Rules and Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act; approval of application by E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co.

For Release: December 26, 2000
FTC Targets Cross-Border Telemarketing Con Artists
The Federal Trade Commission has halted the operation of three Canadian telemarketing companies and five individuals who illegally market foreign lottery tickets to U.S. citizens. Buying and selling foreign lottery tickets is illegal in the United States.

For Release: December 22, 2000
FTC Wins Court Order Blocking Merger of Swedish Match and National Tobacco
The Federal Trade Commission won its federal district court challenge of the proposed acquisition of the loose leaf chewing tobacco business of National Tobacco Company, L.P., by Swedish Match North America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish Match A.B.

For Release: December 21, 2000
FTC Settlement Preserves Competition in Markets for Natural Gas Transportation in Areas in Texas
The Federal Trade Commission has negotiated a proposed consent order designed to remedy the likely anticompetitive effects arising from the acquisition of two Pacific Gas & Electric ("PG&E") subsidiaries (PG&E Gas Transmission Teco, Inc. and PG&E Gas Transmission Texas Corporation) by El Paso Energy Corporation ("El Paso").
For Release: December 21, 2000
FTC Order Settles Charges that FMC Corp. and Japan's Asahi Chemical Co. Engaged in Illegal Anticompetitive Practices
Firms Allegedly Conspired to Control the World Market for Microcrystalline Cellulose
For Release: December 21, 2000
FTC Competition Director Parker to Leave Commission in January
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky today announced the resignation of Richard G. Parker, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition.

For Release: December 20, 2000
FTC Clears $568 Million Acquisition of Mynd Corp. by Computer Sciences Corporation
CSC Would be Required to Divest Mynd's Claims Assessment Systems Business

For Release: December 19, 2000
FTC Approves Amendments to Amplifier Rule;
Issues Supplemental Request For Comment on Proposed Revisions to Testing Procedures for "Home Theater" Receivers
For Your Information: December 19, 2000
Announced Actions for December 19, 2000
Release of holiday shopping alert "Buying Cashmere? Avoid Pulled Wool"; Application for approval of a divestiture in Exxon Mobil Corporation; Final consent agreement in Novartis AG/AstraZeneca PLC.
For Release: December 19, 2000
Valspar Corp's Acquisition of Lilly Industries Approved
Company Must Divest Certain Assets to Preserve Competition in Mirror Solutions and Mirror Backing Paint Markets

For Release: December 18, 2000
U.S., Canadian Officials Halt Canadian Telemarketing Scam "British Premium Savings Bond" Scheme Targeted Seniors
Law enforcement authorities on both sides of the border have moved to halt a Vancouver-based telemarketing scam targeting senior citizens in the United States.
For Release: December 18, 2000
FTC Solicits Public Comment on Provisions of FCRA Pertaining to Information Sharing among Affiliates
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed interpretations of the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that permit companies to communicate consumer information to their affiliates (affiliate information sharing) without incurring the obligations of consumer reporting agencies (CRAs).
For Release: December 18, 2000
"Operation Misprint" Defendants Banned From Telemarketing and Selling of Office Supplies as Part of FTC Settlement
Defendants in two separate cases filed in federal district court as part of "Operation Misprint" have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges.
For Release: December 18, 2000
Resolving Competitive Concerns, FTC Agreement Clears $182 Billion Merger of SmithKline Beecham And Glaxo Wellcome
Combined Firm Would be World's Largest Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturer

For Release: December 15, 2000
California Defendants that Deceptively Marketed and Sold Auction Materials for Homes and Cars Settle FTC Charges
The Kohl Group, LLC., doing business as Federal Information Services, and its principals, Gregory Stewart Hall, Benjamin H. Kim, Douglas Lee and Mark Aaron Osborne, have agreed to post a $100,000 performance bond before engaging in any business that sells foreclosed home or auction lists as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

Media Advisory: December 14, 2000
FTC To Discuss Commission Action Regarding Proposed Merger of AOL and Time Warner
The Federal Trade Commission will hold a press conference on Thursday, December 14, 2000, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the action approved this morning regarding the proposed merger of America Online and Time Warner.
For Release: December 14, 2000
FTC Approves AOL/Time Warner Merger with Conditions
Competitive Concerns Addressed Through Open Access and Interactive Television Provisions, DSL Marketing Requirements

For Your Information: December 12, 2000
Announced Actions for December 12, 2000
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions:
For Release: December 12, 2000
FTC Closes Down Fake I.D. Mill on The Internet
Templates, Software Help Forge Illegal Drivers Licenses, Bogus Birth Certificates

For Your Information: December 8, 2000
Announced Actions for December 8, 2000
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions:
Media Advisory: December 8, 2000
FTC To Host Wireless Workshop
The Federal Trade Commission will host a two-day, public workshop beginning December 11 at 1:00 p.m. to examine emerging wireless Internet and data technologies and to provide a forum for discussion of the privacy, security and consumer protection issues raised by these new technologies.

For Release: December 7, 2000
Federal Trade Commission Clears Acquisition of Nabisco By Philip Morris
Agreement Requires Divestitures of Five Food Products

For Your Information: December 5, 2000
Announced Actions for December 5, 2000
Denial of petition relating to advertising of dietary supplements.; Consent agreements given final approval in Tyco International Ltd.; Letter issued in response to a commentor: FirstPlus Financial Group, Inc.; Federal Register Notice published Amending the FTC's Rules of Practice Part 0

For Release: December 1, 2000
FTC Amends its Guides for the Jewelry Industry;
Changes Address Disclosures for Permanent Gemstone Treatments Such as Laser Drilling

Federal Trade Commission Protecting America's Consumers