Markets Wired

FTC Extends Comment and Submission Periods Related to Digital Rights Management Town Hall to February 9, 2009

– In December 2008, the Commission announced it will hold a town hall meeting on digital rights management in Seattle, Washington, on March 25, 2009 (see press release at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/12/drm.shtm). In announcing the event, the FTC set January 30, 2009 as the date by which interested parties could submit requests to be panelists at the town hall and recommend topics for discussion, in addition to those listed in the press release. The Commission also set January 30, 2009 as the date until which interested parties could submit written comments or original research. The Commission has now extended both the comment and submission periods until February 9, 2009. (FTC File No. P094502; the staff contact is Stacey Ferguson, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2361.)

FTC Issues Annual Financial Acts Enforcement Report to Federal Reserve

– The Federal Trade Commission has issued its annual report to the Federal Reserve Board on FTC enforcement activities in 2008 related to the Truth in Lending Act, Consumer Leasing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and Electronic Fund Transfer Act. The report is now available on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release. The Commission vote approving issuance of the report was 4-0. (FTC File No. P064808; the staff contacts are Bevin Murphy, 202-326-2191, and Carole L. Reynolds, 202-326-3230, Bureau of Consumer Protection.)

FTC Withdraws Federal Register Notice on Proposed Rule Regarding Depository Institution Disclosure Requirements for Further Review

– On January 16, 2009, the Commission announced the approval of a Federal Register notice on a proposed rule regarding depository institution disclosure requirements. The FTC has now withdrawn the notice from the Federal Register for further review. (FTC File No. R411014; the staff contact is Hampton Newsome, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2889.)

Commission Approves Final Consent Order in Matter of Inverness Medical Innovations/ACON

– Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Inverness Medical Innovations/ACON. The vote approving the final order was 4-0. (FTC File No. 061-0123; the staff contact is Lore Unt, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-3019; see press release dated December 23, 2008, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/12/inverness.shtm.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

(FYI 3.2009.wpd)