November 29, 2002

• For Release: November 29, 2002
  FTC 'Surf' of 63 Internet Retailers Designed to Bolster Consumer Confidence During the Holiday Season
  Letters Sent to 51 E-Tailers to Help Them Better Comply with Commission Requirements

November 26, 2002

• For Your Information: November 26, 2002
  Application for Approval of Proposed Divestiture
  The Commission received an application from Solvay S.A. (Solvay) for FTC approval of a proposed divestiture to
  Dyneon LLC.
• For Release: November 26, 2002
  Companies That Billed Consumers for Adult "Videotext" Internet Services Settle FTC Charges
  Integretel, Inc. and eBillit, Inc. Must Investigate Consumer Complaints About Unauthorized Billing; Will Release $1.6 Million in Previously Collected Funds
• For Your Information: November 26, 2002
  Announced Action for November 26, 2002
  The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice concerning the FTC's Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (Textile Act) and the Wool Products Labeling Act (Wool Act), collectively known as the Textile Rules.

November 22, 2002

• For Release: November 22, 2002
  FTC Staff Provides FERC with Comments on Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Standard Electricity Market Design
  Structurally Competitive Markets Likely to Provide Consumers with Lower-Priced Power
• For Your Information: November 22, 2002
  Announced Actions for November 22, 2002
  Approved four applications from America Online/Time Warner, Inc.; approved the publication of a Federal Register notice regarding a petition submitted by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company to establish a new generic fiber subclass name and definition under the Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act; approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning the merger of Shell Oil Company and Pennzoil-Quaker State Company.

November 21, 2002

• For Release: November 21, 2002
  Preserving Competition, FTC Requires Divestitures Before Allowing Wal-Mart's Acquisition of Supermercados Amigo In Puerto Rico
  Company Would be Required to Divest Four Amigo Stores to Supermercados Maximo, Inc.
• For Release: November 21, 2002
  Operations Charged with Business Opportunity Scams
  Consumers Across The Country Invested in Vending Machines Based on Bogus Income Claims

November 18, 2002

• For Release: November 18, 2002
  Blue Stuff to Pay FTC $3 Million to Settle Charges That Its Infomercial Promises to Relieve Severe Pain Are Deceptive
  Blue Stuff, Inc., McClung Advertising, Inc., and their president, Jack McClung, have agreed to pay $3 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they made unsubstantiated claims that Blue Stuff and Super Blue Stuff topical creams will relieve severe pain.
• For Release: November 18, 2002
  FTC to Hold Weight Loss Advertising Workshop
  A workshop to explore the impact that deceptive weight-loss product advertising has on public health and new approaches for fighting the proliferation of false, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims.
• Para su Difusión: 18 de noviembre de 2002
  La FTC Realiza un Taller sobre Publicidad de Productos para Perder Peso
  Un taller para explorar el impacto de la publicidad engañosa de productos para perder peso sobre la salud pública y nuevos enfoques para luchar contra la proliferación de afirmaciones publicitarias equívocas y sin sustanciación.

November 15, 2002

• For Release: November 15, 2002
  FTC Releases Health Care and Competition Law and Policy Workshop Materials
  The Federal Trade Commission today released the materials relating to the workshop on Health Care Competition Law and Policy, held on September 9-10, 2002.
• For Release: November 15, 2002
  Canadian Telemarketers Target U.S. Businesses with Business Directory/Office Supply Scams
  The Federal Trade Commission has charged three Canadian telemarketing companies operating boiler rooms in Quebec and Ontario with engaging in fraudulent business practices in the sale of business directories and non-durable office supplies.

November 14, 2002

• For Release: November 14, 2002
  "Miss Cleo" Promoters to Forgive Approximately $500 Million In Outstanding Consumer Charges and Pay an Additional $5 Million to Settle FTC Charges
  In a landmark settlement, Access Resource Services, Inc. (ARS) and Psychic Readers Network, Inc. (PRN) have agreed to a stipulated court order stopping all collection efforts on accounts or claims from consumers who purchased or purportedly purchased their pay-per-call or audiotext services and forgiving an estimated $500 million in outstanding consumer charges as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

November 13, 2002

• For Release: November 13, 2002
  Investigation of Kroger/Raley's Supermarkets Transaction Closed
  Unanticipated Entry and Expansion Since Issuance of Prior Order Make Anticompetitive Effects Unlikely
• Media Advisory: November 13, 2002
  FTC Announces Settlement with Fraudulent "Free" Entertainment Service
  On Thursday November 14, 2002, the Federal Trade Commission will hold a press conference to announce one of the largest settlements in the FTC's history against companies that misled consumers with "free" entertainment service ads.
• For Release: November 13, 2002
  Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcers Tackle Deceptive Spam and Internet Scams
  "Spam Harvest" Results Reap Help for Consumers Trying To Avoid Spam

November 8, 2002

• For Release: November 8, 2002
  FTC Commissioner Thomas B. Leary Speaks on the 'Ongoing Evolution' of Efficiencies in Antitrust Law
  Remarks Presented at Antitrust Law Section of ABA's 2002 Fall Forum in Washington, D.C.
• For Your Information: November 8, 2002
  Announced Actions for November 8, 2002
  Authorized the staff to file an amended complaint in the court case currently pending against Hudson Berkley, et al.; correction to FTC press release.
• For Release: November 7, 2002
  Federal, State, Local Law Enforcers Target Deceptive Spam and Internet Scams
  "Spam Harvest" Results Reap Help For Consumers Trying To Avoid Spam

November 7, 2002

• For Release: November 7, 2002
  FTC Chairman Announces Public Hearings on Health Care and Competition Law and Policy to Begin in February 2003
  Chairman Timothy J. Muris in a speech today announced that the Federal Trade Commission will hold hearings on health care and competition law and policy commencing in February 2003 and continuing throughout the year.
• For Release: November 7, 2002
  Bogus "Gold Card" Marketers Settle FTC Charges
  Consumers With Poor Credit Histories Thought They Would Get Visas, MasterCards
  
• For Release: November 7, 2002
  Alabama Publishing Company to Pay $500,000 For Allegedly Violating Commission's Negative Option Rule
  Complaint Also Alleges Violations of the Unordered Merchandise Statute, TSR, and FTC Act

November 5, 2002

• For Release: November 5, 2002
  FTC Offers Tips for Holiday Shopping
  With More Ways to Shop Than Ever Before, Consumers Must be Wise and Savvy
• For Your Information: November 5, 2002
  Announced Actions for November 5, 2002
  Approved a proposed divestiture by Bayer AG concerning its recent acquisition of Aventis CropScience Holding S.A.; approved a proposed divestiture by ConocoPhillips concerning the recent merger of Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company; authorized the staff to file an amended complaint in the court case currently pending against Perfumes Unlimited, et al.
• For Release: November 5, 2002
  Eye Doctor That Purportedly Conducted Tests to Support The Efficacy of a Product to Treat Snoring Settles FTC Charges
  Dr. Robert M. Currier, who appeared in infomercials for a purported anti-snoring product called SNORenz, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he made unsubstantiated efficacy claims about the product.

November 4, 2002

• For Release: November 4, 2002
  Cyber-Security Media Briefing
  An industry "call to action" to enhance global network security
• For Release: November 4, 2002
  FTC Staff Comments on Proposed Amendments to Regulations Implementing the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
  Comment Stresses Support for HUD's Goal of Simplifying the Mortgage Process and Enhancing Competition, Urges Testing to Ensure Enhanced Consumer Comprehension of Mortgage Process

November 1, 2002

• For Your Information: November 1, 2002
  Announced Action for November 1, 2002
  Received two applications from Bayer AG (Bayer) for proposed divestitures concerning the recent merger of Bayer AG and Aventis S.A. (Aventis); approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works; approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning System Health Providers, Inc., et al.; approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter of MSC.Software Corporation (MSC), concerning MSC’s acquisitions of Universal Analytics, Inc. and Computerized Structural Analysis & Research Corp.; approved Robert W. Stone as Hold Separate manager in the matter of ConocoPhillips, which concerns the recent merger of Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company