Federal Trade Commission staff submitted a response to a request from the Public Service Commission of the State of Delaware for comments on a proposal to revise its rules for certifying and regulating electricity suppliers. The FTC staff comment encourages the Public Service Commission to consider the potential costs associated with a proposal to require […]
Monthly Archives: November 2013
FTC Approves Final Consents Settling Charges That Mattress Sellers Lacked Scientific Evidence to Prove Products Were Free From Volatile Organic Compounds
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final consent orders in three cases involving allegedly deceptive environmental claims for mattresses. The FTC’s complaints, first announced in July, 2013, against Relief-Mart, Inc.; Esssentia Natural Memory Foam Company, Inc.; and Ecobaby Organics, Inc., charged the companies with making unsupported claims that the mattresses […]
FTC Warns Consumers: Beware of Typhoon Haiyan Charity Scams
In the wake of the devastating typhoon that struck the Philippines, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, reminds consumers that scams often follow disasters. If you’re asked to make a charitable donation to help people in disaster-affected areas, before you give, be sure your donations are going to a reputable organization that […]
FTC Denies AssertID’s Application for Proposed COPPA Verifiable Parental Consent Method
The Federal Trade Commission has denied an application seeking approval of a proposed verifiable parental consent method submitted by AssertID, Inc., under the agency’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection (COPPA) Rule. In a letter to AssertID, the Commission noted that the company’s proposal failed to provide sufficient evidence that its method would meet the requirements set […]
FTC Announces Agenda, Panelists for Upcoming Internet of Things Workshop
AGENDA 8:30 Opening RemarksEdith Ramirez, Chairwoman, Federal Trade Commission 8:45 “What Is The Internet of Things?”Keith Marzullo, Ph.D., Director, Division of Computer and Network Systems, Directorate of Computer & Information Sciences & Engineering, National Science Foundation 9:10 Contextual PrivacyCarolyn Nguyen, Ph.D., Director, Technology Policy Group, Microsoft Corp. 9:30 Panel One: The Smart HomeModerators: Mark Eichorn, […]
FTC to Host Workshop on the Competitive Impacts of State Regulations and Naming Conventions Concerning Follow-on Biologics
The Federal Trade Commission will host a one-day public workshop on December 10, 2013, at its headquarters in Washington, DC, to examine competition issues surrounding biologic and follow-on biologic medications. As explained in the Commission’s Federal Register notice, the workshop will specifically focus on how state regulations and naming conventions may impact the development of, […]
FTC Approves Changes to Vocational Schools Guides
The Federal Trade Commission revised its Vocational School Guides, which advise against deceptive marketing practices by businesses that offer vocational training. Created in 1972, the Vocational School Guides (formally known as Guides for Private Vocational and Distance Education Schools) address misrepresenting accreditation, the transferability of credit to other schools, government or employment agency affiliation, and testimonials […]
FTC Finalizes Amendments to the Premerger Notification Rules Related to the Transfer of Exclusive Patent Rights in the Pharmaceutical Industry
The Federal Trade Commission issued final changes to the premerger notification rules that require companies in the pharmaceutical industry to report certain proposed acquisitions of exclusive patent rights to the FTC and the Department of Justice for antitrust review. The revised rules clarify when a transfer of exclusive rights to a patent in the pharmaceutical […]
FTC Closes Seven-month Investigation of Proposed Office Depot/OfficeMax Merger
The Federal Trade Commission has unanimously voted to close its seven-month investigation into the proposed $1.2 billion merger of office supply superstores Office Depot, Inc. and OfficeMax, Inc. and has issued a Commission statement detailing the basis for its decision. While the FTC successfully challenged the proposed merger of office supply superstores Staples, Inc., and […]