Announced Actions for September 6, 2000

Consent agreements given final approval:

Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final consent agreements with the following: Bertelsman Music Group; EMI/Capitol Records; Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; Universal Music & Video Distribution, Inc and UMG Recordings, Inc.; and Time Warner, Inc./Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corporation. The Commission vote to finalize the consent orders was 5-0. The five FTC Commissioners issued a joint statement in this matter. (File No. 971-0070; staff contact is Michael E. Antalics, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2821; see press release dated May 10, 2000.)

Publication of Federal Register notices:

The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice describing the submission of proposed self-regulatory guidelines by: TRUSTe. The notice addresses the safe harbor requirements set forth in Section 312.10 of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and requests public comments on TRUSTe's application for approval. The full text of TRUSTe's application is available on the FTC's Web site.

As detailed in the Federal Register notice, written comments should be sent to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Room H-159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580 within 30 days of publication. In addition, comments may be submitted via e-mail to safeharbor@ftc.gov with the caption "TRUSTe Safe Harbor Proposal - Comment, P004504." (FTC File No. P004504; staff contact is Toby M. Levin, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3156.)

The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on a petition for exemption from the FTC's Rule Concerning Franchising and Business Opportunities (Franchise Rule) submitted by: Daewoo Motor America, Inc. Daewoo filed the petition based on its belief that application of the Rule to automobile dealerships is unnecessary to prevent unfair or deceptive acts or practices because of the sophistication of applicants for new dealerships, the amount of the investment required by new dealers and the process by which new dealers are selected. Public comments concerning the petition will be accepted until 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. Written comments should be sent to: Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20850. Requests for copies of the petition and the Franchise Rule should be directed to the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 202-326-2222.

The Commission vote to publish the Federal Register notice was 5-0. (File No. R511003; staff contact is Steven Toporoff, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3135.)

Amended complaints:

The Commission has authorized staff to file an amended complaint in a matter concerning the following: HomeLife Credit Services. The amendment adds Mark Alan Conway and William Anderson as two principles allegedly involved in the advance fee loan matter described in complaint, which the Commission filed on June 8, 2000. The Commission vote to amend the complaint was 5-0. (FTC File No. X000078; staff contact is Jennifer Larabee, FTC Western Region, 310-824-4323; see press release dated June 20, 2000.)

The Commission has authorized staff to file an amended complaint in a matter concerning the following: Modern Concept Marketing, Inc. The amendment adds Sam Jenkala as a defendant in the "Operation Misprint" matter described in complaint, which the Commission filed in December 1999. The Commission vote to amend the complaint was 5-0. (FTC File No. X000011; staff contact is Randall H. Brook, FTC Northwest Region, 266-220-4487; see press release dated December 16, 1999.)

The Commission has authorized staff to file an amended complaint in a matter concerning the following: Nationwide Information Services, et al. The amendment adds Michael G. Harvey as a defendant in the "Operation Auction Guides II" matter, which the Commission filed on June 14, 2000. The Commission vote to amend the complaint was 5-0. (FTC File No. X000090; staff contact is Todd M. Kossow, FTC Midwest Region, 312-960-5634; see press release dated June 22, 2000.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; toll free: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710.