FTC Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Study of the E-Cigarette Industry

The Federal Trade Commission plans to begin a study of the U.S. sales and marketing of electronic cigarettes, more commonly known as e-cigarettes. To conduct the study, the agency would issue information requests to e-cigarette marketers and would use the information as a basis for a report on the sales, marketing activities, and expenditures in […]

FTC Announces Agenda, Panelists for Upcoming Lead Generation Workshop

The Federal Trade Commission has announced the final agenda for its October 30 workshop in Washington, D.C., “Follow the Lead: An FTC Workshop About Online Lead Generation,” which begins at 8:30 a.m. Lead generators identify or cultivate consumer interest in a product or service, and sell the consumer “lead” information to third parties. For example, […]

FTC Concludes ECM BioFilms Made False, Misleading, and Unsubstantiated Claims About the Biodegradability of Plastic Products Treated with Its Additive

The Federal Trade Commission today announced its Opinion and Final Order against Ohio-based ECM BioFilms, Inc., finding that the company acted deceptively by making false and unsubstantiated environmental claims about its product, a chemical additive that supposedly would make treated plastics biodegrade in a landfill within nine months to five years or within a reasonably […]

In Comments Submitted to Virginia and Tennessee Health Departments FTC Staff Offers Assistance in Evaluating Proposed Hospital Cooperation Agreements

The Federal Trade Commission staff submitted comments to the Virginia and Tennessee Departments of Health as the agencies promulgate proposed rules regarding hospital cooperation agreements in Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The comments, submitted by staff of the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Competition and Bureau of Economics in response to calls for public […]

Two Pennsylvania Orthopedic Practices Settle FTC Charges That Merger Harmed Competition and Inflated Prices

An orthopedic practice in Berks County, Pennsylvania, created through a combination of six independent orthopedic practices in 2011, has agreed to settle FTC charges that the merger was anticompetitive and violated U.S. antitrust law. In its complaint against Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC, the FTC alleged that the merger combined 19 of the 25 orthopedists in […]

Court Finds Promoter of Bogus “Alcohol Cure” in Contempt

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission and Florida’s Attorney General, a federal court has found FTC defendant Robert Douglas Krotzer in contempt of court for violating a 2012 final order that required him to turn over $732,480 to compensate victims of his phony “alcoholism cure” scam. In its ruling against Robert Douglas Krotzer, […]

Federal Trade Commission Announces Agenda for Nov. 5 Start With Security Conference in Austin

Experts from across the technology industry will share their tips and insights on how startups can secure their applications at the Federal Trade Commission’s Start with Security conference taking place Nov. 5 in Austin, Texas. FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny will give opening remarks at the event, which is designed to provide the latest information and […]

FTC and Consumer Protection Agencies from 33 Other Countries Unveil Updated Econsumer.gov Website

The Federal Trade Commission and consumer protection agencies in 33 other countries that are part of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) unveiled an updated version of ICPEN’s econsumer.gov to help law enforcement authorities gather and share cross border consumer complaints that can be used to investigate and take action against international scams. […]

FTC Chairwoman Ramirez Testifies Before Congress on Legislation That Would Alter the Agency’s Role in Adjudicating Merger Cases

In testimony presented to a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee the Federal Trade Commission described its work to promote competition, and its concerns about proposed federal legislation would eliminate the Commission’s role in adjudicating some merger cases. Testifying on behalf of the FTC before the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, Chairwoman […]

Investor Len Blavatnik to Pay $656,000 to Settle FTC Charges That He Violated U.S. Premerger Notification Requirements

Investor Len Blavatnik has agreed to pay $656,000 in civil penalties to resolve Federal Trade Commission allegations that he violated federal premerger reporting laws by failing to report voting shares that he acquired in a California technology start up called TangoMe, in August 2014. TangoMe markets a cross-platform messaging application for smartphones that offers free […]