Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Competition Director Debbie Feinstein issued the following statement regarding the U.S. District Court ruling today granting the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction in the proposed merger of Sysco and U.S. Foods: “The Court’s ruling today temporarily blocking Sysco’s proposed acquisition of US Foods will preserve competition in both local […]
Monthly Archives: June 2015
FTC Amicus Brief Urges Appeals Court to Overturn District Court Decision that Pay-for-Delay Pharmaceutical Settlements Only Violate Antitrust Laws if Paid in Cash
The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit urging the court to reject a district court decision in a reverse-payment patent settlement case holding that an alleged non-cash payment from a brand to a generic to delay entering with its generic version of the branded […]
FTC Proposes Gramm-Leach-Bliley Rule Amendment to Allow Online Privacy Notices From Auto Dealers That Finance Purchases
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed an amendment to its rules under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to allow auto dealers that finance car purchases or provide car leases to provide online updates to consumers about their privacy policies as opposed to sending yearly updates by mail. Under the proposed revision, auto dealers would be able to […]
FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition In North America for Heavy Vehicle Tie Rods
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that the $12.4 billion merger of two of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers, ZF Friedrichshafen AG and TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., would likely harm competition in the market for heavy vehicle tie rods, which are rigid connectors that […]
FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition In 14 U.S. Markets for Cement
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that the $25 billion merger of cement manufacturers Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge S.A. would likely harm competition in 12 markets for portland cement, and two markets for slag cement. The merger will create the world’s largest cement manufacturer. Under […]
FTC ‘Fotonovela’ Warns Latino Community About Notario Scams
Notarios aren’t attorneys, and they can’t help with the immigration process. To warn Spanish-speaking consumers about notario scams, the Federal Trade Commission has created a Spanish-language graphic novel, Cómo se enteraron Myriam y Pedro de las estafas de notario. It describes the warning signs of a notario scam, where to find help with the immigration […]
FTC Returns Almost $1.9 Million to Consumers in BurnLounge Pyramid Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 52,099 checks totaling almost $1.9 million to consumers who lost money to a pyramid scheme that pretended to be a legitimate multi-level marketing program selling opportunities to operate online digital music stores. In June 2014, the FTC won an appeals court ruling upholding a district court finding that BurnLounge […]
FTC Requests Public Comment on Application from Cement Manufacturers Holcim and Lafarge to Approve Divestiture of Holcim Assets
The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Holcim LTD. and Lafarge S.A. to sell various Holcim cement assets to an affiliate of the international cement company CRH International. The divestiture is required by the FTC’s May 2015 proposed order settling charges that the $25 billion merger of Holcim and […]
Crowdfunding Project Creator Settles FTC Charges of Deception
In its first case involving crowdfunding, the Federal Trade Commission has taken legal action against the deceptive tactics of a project creator who raised money from consumers to produce a board game through a Kickstarter campaign, but instead used most of the funds on himself. The defendant has agreed to a settlement that prohibits him […]
FTC Action Leads Arkansas Car Dealer to Pay $90,000 Civil Penalty for not Displaying ‘Buyers Guides’ on Used Cars
An Arkansas auto dealer and its owners have agreed to pay a $90,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they failed to display a “Buyers Guide” on used vehicles offered for sale, as required by the FTC’s Used Car Rule. In March 2014, the FTC charged Abernathy Motor Company, Wesley Abernathy and […]