FTC Requires Divestitures Prior to Merger of Orthopedic Device Companies

Wright Medical Group, Inc. and Tornier N.V. have agreed to sell Tornier’s U.S. rights and assets related to its total ankle replacements and total silastic toe joint replacements to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that the proposed $3.3 billion merger would illegally reduce competition for these devices. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Wright is a global […]

FTC Update: Telemarketer Fees for the Do Not Call Registry Will Not Increase in FY 2016

The Federal Trade Commission has announced FY 2016 fees for telemarketers accessing phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. The fees will not increase, and are set forth in a Federal Register notice. All telemarketers calling consumers in the United States are required to download the numbers on the Do Not Call Registry […]

FTC Returns Money to Consumers Tricked into Buying Phony Health Insurance

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 6,832 checks totaling more than $1.1 million to consumers who lost money to a health insurance scam. In 2012, the FTC charged the Independent Association of Businesses (IAB) and Health Service Providers (HSP) defendants with violating the FTC Act and the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule by deceiving consumers seeking […]

FTC Sues Marketers Who Used “Gag Clauses,” Monetary Threats, and Lawsuits to Stop Negative Consumer Reviews for Unproven Weight-Loss Products

The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against the Florida-based marketers of a line of weight-loss supplements who allegedly made baseless claims for their products, and then threatened to enforce “gag clause” provisions against consumers to stop them from posting negative reviews and testimonials online. In a complaint filed in federal court, the FTC alleges […]

FTC Amends Fair Packaging and Labeling Act Rules

The Federal Trade Commission has amended its rules under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), which requires that certain products carry labels identifying the contents, source, item quantity, and other information to help consumers compare products. In February 2015, the FTC sought public comment on proposed amendments. In response to comments received, the Commission […]

FTC Requires Divestitures in Connection with Endo International plc’s Proposed Acquisition of Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Pharmaceutical companies Endo International plc and Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have agreed to divest all of Endo’s rights and assets to generic glycopyrrolate tablets and generic methimazole tablets in order to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that Endo’s proposed $8 billion acquisition of Par likely would be anticompetitive. New Jersey-based generic drug marketer Rising Pharmaceuticals will […]

FTC Approves Application for Modification of Divestiture Agreement Between Albertsons and Haggen Holdings, LLC

The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Albertsons to modify its contract with Haggen Holdings, LLC, under an order that required Albertsons to sell supermarkets in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington to Haggen. The order settled charges that Albertsons’ acquisition of Safeway Inc. was likely to lessen supermarket competition in 130 local […]

In Settlement with FTC, National Association of Animal Breeders Agrees to Eliminate Rules That Limit Competition Among its Members

The National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) has agreed to remove provisions in its Code of Ethics that the Federal Trade Commission charged limit competition among its members. The proposed consent order settling the FTC’s allegations requires NAAB to end certain advertising restrictions, remove references to the restrictions from its website and official documents, publish […]

Leucadia National Corporation to Pay $240,000 to Settle FTC Charges It Violated U.S. Premerger Notification Requirements

Holding company Leucadia National Corporation has agreed to pay $240,000 in civil penalties to resolve Federal Trade Commission allegations that it violated federal premerger reporting laws by failing to report a conversion of its ownership interest in the financial services company Knight Capital Group, Inc. In July 2013, Knight Capital consolidated with another financial services […]

FTC Action: Auto Dealership Will Pay $80,000 Penalty for Violating 2012 Order Prohibiting Deceptive Advertising of Vehicle Costs

A West Virginia auto dealer, Ramey Motors Inc., has agreed to pay a $80,000 civil penalty to settle a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit brought in 2014. The FTC charged Ramey Motors with violating the terms of a 2012 consent order with the FTC that barred it from deceptively advertising the cost of buying or leasing […]