For Release: September 28, 2004 Public, Private Sectors Must Act Aggressively to Deter Identity Theft FTC Says
The Federal Trade Commission today said that newly implemented provisions of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and cooperative efforts of the FTC, other law enforcement agencies, and the private sector can help reduce identity theft and help victims recover.
For Release: September 28, 2004 New Mexico PHO, Physician Group, and Their Agent Settle FTC Price-Fixing Charges
A physician-hospital organization (PHO) in New Mexico has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it drove up the cost of health care for consumers in the Alamogordo, NM area by jointly fixing prices charged by physicians and by nurse anesthetists to health plans and other payors.
For Your Information: September 28, 2004 Announced Actions for September 28, 2004
The Commission has approved the filing of an amicus brief jointly with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the matter concerning Phillips v. AWH Corp., No. 03-1268 (Fed. Cir.).
For Your Information: September 24, 2004 Announced Actions for September 24, 2004 The Commission filed comments with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) concerning the designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Bottlenecks (NIETBs). The Commission has approved the filing of an amicus brief jointly with the U.S. Department of Justice in the matter concerning Empagran, S.A. v. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Ltd., No. 01-7115 (D.C. Cir.). On September 8, 2004, the court entered a default judgment in United States v. Kris A. Pletschke, d/b/a Raw Health, a case involving allegations that the defendant made deceptive health claims for two supplements, failed to file an adequate compliance report, failed to report other information to the FTC as required, and failed to make available records sought by FTC staff in violation of an FTC administrative order issued in 2002. Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis. Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Cephalon, Inc. and Cima Labs, Inc.
For Release: September 22, 2004 FTC Continues Education, Enforcement Efforts to Promote Information Security
Electronic information systems provide substantial benefits to consumers, businesses, and government, but they are exposed to significant vulnerabilities, according to Federal Trade Commission testimony.
For Release: September 22, 2004 Administrative Law Judge Bars Misleading Claims for “Ab Force” Belt
An administrative law judge has ordered the marketers of the “Ab Force” belt to stop making claims that the Ab Force causes or promotes weight, inches, or fat loss; causes or promotes well-defined abdominal muscles; or is an effective alternative to regular exercise.
September 17, 2004
Media Advisory : September 17, 2004 FTC to Celebrate 90th Anniversary with Two-Day Symposium
The Federal Trade Commission will host a symposium on September 22 and 23, 2004, in honor of the agency’s 90th anniversary. The event will feature over 40 participants, including current FTC officials and alumni, and is free and open to the public.
For Your Information: September 17, 2004 Announced Actions for September 17, 2004
Commission approval of Federal Register notice: The Commission has voted to rescind its Tire Advertising and Labeling Guides (Tire Guides), finding that “[t]he vast majority of Tire Guide provisions are adequately addressed by other laws and regulations . . . or have been rendered obsolete because of changes in the market.” ; Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning KFC Corporation. ; Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Gateway Learning Corporation and issued a response to the commenter of record.
September 16, 2004
For Release: September 16, 2004 - CORRECTED FTC Assesses Reward System for Catching Spammers
The FTC today issued a report assessing whether and how a system that rewards members of the public for tracking down spammers would or could help improve enforcement of the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (CAN-SPAM Act.)
For Release: September 10, 2004 FTC Staff: California Bill May Raise Prices for Pharmaceuticals
In response to a request from California Assembly Member Greg Aghazarian, FTC staff have commented on a bill (AB 1960) that requires pharmacy benefit managers ("PBMs") to disclose certain information to purchasers and prospective purchasers of their services, as well as to prescribers and consumers.
Media Advisory : September 10, 2004 Protecting Consumers Interests in Class Actions
Two day workshop “Protecting Consumers Interests in Class Actions,” co-sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission and the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics.
For Your Information: September 10, 2004 Announced Actions for September 10, 2004
The Commission has authorized the staff of the FTC’s Office of the General Counsel to file an amicus brief in the matter of Ashby, et al. v. Farmers Group, Inc., No 04-35394 (9th Cir.). The Commission has approved an application for proposed divestiture from GenCorp, Inc., related to the FTC’s consent order, arising out of GenCorp’s purchase of the propulsion business of Sequa’s Atlantic Research Corporation (ARC). The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice regarding the Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles. Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Prince Lionheart, Inc.
September 9, 2004
For Release: September 9, 2004 Statement of FTC General Counsel William E. Kovacic
Following consultation with the Commissioners and counsel for the plaintiff States, the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition and Office of the General Counsel today informed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that the FTC would not pursue an appeal of the decision of the U.S. District Court denying the Commission’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt Arch Coal’s acquisition of Triton.
For Release: September 9, 2004 FTC Launches Consumer Fraud Awareness Campaign Targeted to Spanish Speakers
The Federal Trade Commission is launching a Spanish language consumer fraud awareness campaign, Mantente alerta contra el fraude. Infórmate con la FTC (“Be on the alert against fraud. Stay informed with the FTC”).
For Your Information: September 7, 2004 Announced Actions for September 7, 2004
The Commission, with the concurrence of the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, has authorized the release of the Twenty-Sixth Annual Report to Congress Regarding the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Premerger Notification Program. ; The Commission has approved a petition to reopen and modify the Commission's 2003 decision and order in Nestlé Holdings Inc., Docket No. C-4082, which arose from Nestlé’s acquisition of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Holdings, Inc.
For Your Information: September 7, 2004 Kevin Trudeau Banned from Infomercials Trudeau Settles Claims in Connection with Coral Calcium Supreme and Biotape
September 3, 2004
For Release: September 3, 2004 - Corrected
Jon Leibowitz Sworn in as FTC Commissioner Former MPAA Vice President, Antitrust Subcommittee Chief Counsel Replaces Former Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson
For Your Information: September 3, 2004 Announced Actions for September 3, 2004 The Commission has received an application from Liberty Media Corporation (Liberty) requesting that the FTC reopen and modify the final order in the matter of Time Warner, Inc., et al. (Docket No. C-3709), as it applies to Liberty and its continuing ownership of Time Warner stock during the term of the order. The Commission has received a petition from Sanofi-Synthelabo (Sanofi) and Aventis requesting approval of a proposed divestiture per the terms of the final consent order (FTC File No. 041-0031) issued to address competition problems raised by Sanofi’s acquisition of Aventis. The FTC has issued letters to the Commissioner of the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate and the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Health Care Administration in response to petitions each state submitted.
September 1, 2004
For Release: September 1, 2004 FTC Charges Software Company’s Protection Promises Fall Short
Bonzi Software, Inc., a California company, and its owners have agreed to settle FTC charges that they falsely claimed that their InternetALERT software significantly reduces the risk of Internet attacks.
