FTC Challenges Merger of Companies That Provide Sterilization Services to Manufacturers

The Federal Trade Commission today issued an administrative complaint charging that Steris Corporation’s proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of Synergy Health plc would violate the antitrust laws by significantly reducing future competition in regional markets for sterilization of products using radiation, particularly gamma or x-ray radiation. The Commission also authorized agency staff to seek a temporary […]

FTC Approves Final Consent Orders in Two Deceptive Auto Advertising Cases

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final consent orders involving two auto dealers that deceptively advertised the sale, financing and leasing of their vehicles. Under the settlement orders, Jim Burke Nissan of Birmingham, Ala., and Ross Nissan of El Monte, Calif., are prohibited from misrepresenting in any advertisement the cost […]

FTC Approves Final Orders In U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Cases

After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders resolving the Commission’s complaints against TES Franchising, LLC and American International Mailing, Inc., for deceiving consumers about their participation in international privacy frameworks. The settlements were first announced in April. In its complaints, the FTC alleged that the companies’ websites indicated they […]

FTC Settlement of Cephalon Pay for Delay Case Ensures $1.2 Billion in Ill-Gotten Gains Relinquished; Refunds Will Go To Purchasers Affected By Anticompetitive Tactics

Note: A press conference with FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Bureau of Competition Director Deborah Feinstein was held at the FTC on May 28, 2015, at 11 a.m. ET. Chairwoman Ramirez and FTC staff took questions from the media about the case. View archival video of the live webcast The Federal Trade Commission has reached […]

FTC Report on Pet Medications Industry Finds Veterinarians Face Increasing Competition from Non-Veterinary Retail Outlets

A Federal Trade Commission report on the pet medications industry noted fast growth and a changing landscape of suppliers – with veterinarians seeing increased competition from non-traditional sellers, and consumers finding more ways to buy medications for their pets. The report made recommendations for ways to make the pet medications market even more competitive.   […]

Ashworth College Settles FTC Charges it Misled Students About Career Training, Credit Transfers

Ashworth College has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges it misrepresented to students that they would get the training and credentials needed to switch careers or get a new job, and that the course credits they earned would transfer to other schools. In reality, many programs offered by the for-profit institution did not meet […]

FTC Requires Reynolds and Lorillard to Divest Four Cigarette Brands as a Condition of $27.4 Billion Merger

Tobacco companies Reynolds American Inc. and Lorillard Inc. have agreed to divest four cigarette brands to Imperial Tobacco Group to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their proposed $27.4 billion merger would likely be anticompetitive. Reynolds markets two of the best-selling cigarettes in the country, Camel and Pall Mall, as well as Winston, Kool, and […]

FTC Requests Public Comment on Panasonic’s Application to Approve Sale of Assets It Uses to Manufacture Portable Sub-C Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Panasonic Corporation for approval to sell to FDK Corporation assets from Panasonic’s facility in Suzhou, China that are used to manufacture sub-C portable nickel metal hydride (“NiMH”) batteries. The FTC’s November 2009 order, settling charges that Panasonic’s $9 billion acquisition of Sanyo […]

FTC Halts Three Debt Collection Operations That Allegedly Threatened and Deceived Consumers via Illegal Text Messages

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, federal courts in New York and Georgia have temporarily halted three debt collection operations that allegedly violated federal law by threatening and deceiving consumers via text messages, emails, and phone calls. The FTC seeks to permanently end the unlawful practices. “Legitimate debt collectors know the rules,” said Jessica Rich, […]

FTC Action Halts Global Sweepstakes Scam

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has temporarily halted a sweepstakes operation based in Fort Lauderdale that took more than $28 million from consumers throughout the United States and other countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The FTC seeks to permanently end the allegedly illegal […]