Every year the FTC brings hundreds of cases against individuals and companies for violating consumer protection and competition laws that the agency enforces. These cases can involve fraud, scams, identity theft, false advertising, privacy violations, anti-competitive behavior and more. The Legal Library has detailed information about cases we have brought in federal court or through our internal administrative process, called an adjudicative proceeding.
McCormick & Company, Inc.
McCormick & Company agreed to settle charges that it violated the Robinson-Patman Act when the firm charged some retailers higher net prices for its spice and seasoning products than it charged other retailers. According to the complaint, McCormick, the world’s largest spice company, offered its products to some retailers at substantial discounts using a variety of different discounting schemes, such as slotting allowances, free goods, off-invoice discounts and cash rebates. The order prohibits McCormick from engaging in price discrimination and from selling its products to any purchaser at a net price higher than McCormick charged the purchaser’s competitor.
Rose Creek Health Products, Inc. et al.
El Paso Energy Corporation
A final order ensures competition in the markets for natural gas transportation out of the Gulf of Mexico and into the southeastern United States. The consent order permitted El Paso's $6 billion merger with Sonar Inc. and requires the divestiture of Sea Robin Pipeline Company; Sonat's one-third ownership interest in Destin Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; and the East Tennessee Natural Gas Company.
Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc.
A consent order settled charges that Shaw's proposed acquisition of Star Markers, Inc. could eliminate supermarket competition and increase prices in the greater Boston metropolitan area. The consent order permits the acquisition and requires the divestiture of three Shaw supermarkets and seven Star markets in eight communities.
Medimax, Inc., and David M. Rothbart
DBC Financial, Inc.
Communication Concepts & Investments, Inc.
ASQ, Inc., d/b/a Resort World, et al.
National Maintenance Supply, Inc., et al.
Memtek Products, Inc., In the Matter of
UMAX Technologies, Inc.
All Around Travel Club, Inc., et al.
Dunphy Nissan, Inc., and Serge Naumovsky
Marty Sussman Organization, Inc., also d/b/a Sussman Honda, Sussman Acura, Sussman Mazda, Sussman Hyundai, Sussman Oldsmobile, and Sussman Lincoln Mercury; and Martin E. Sussman
Northeast Auto Outlet, Inc., and Northeast Auto Outlet Corporation, also d/b/a Northeast Chevy/Geo, et al., In the Matter of
Pacifico Ardmore, Inc., also d/b/a Kerry's Pacifico Ford; and Kerry J. Pacifico
Pacifico Ford, Inc., and Kerry T. Pacifico
Norristown Automobile Co., Inc., also d/b/a Norristown Ford; and William Milliken
MacDermid, Incorporated, and Polyfibron Technologies, Inc., In the Matter of
A consent order permits MacDermid’s acquisition of Polyfibron Technologies, Inc. and requires the divestiture, among other things, of Polyfibron’s liquid photopolymer business to Chemence Inc. According to the complaint, the acquisition would result in a monopoly in the production, distribution and sale of liquid and solid photopolymer in North America. Photopolymers are used to make flexographic printing plates.