Federal Trade Commission May 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Trade Commission is amending Rule 4.11 of its Rules of Practice, which addresses disclosure requests, to add a new provision, Rule 4.11(j). The new provision conforms the agency's rules to its authority to share confidential information in non-antitrust matters with foreign law enforcers, with appropriate confidentiality assurances and subject to certain restrictions, as provided for under the recently-enacted U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-455, 120 Stat. 3372 (2006). The Commission is also amending Rules 4.10(d) and (e), which describe certain materials subject to prohibitions on disclosures and exceptions for specified circumstances, to cross- reference the new Rule 4.11(j).

The information collection requirements described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') is seeking public comments on its proposal to extend through July 31, 2010 the current OMB clearance for information collection requirements contained in its proposed Affiliate Marketing Rule (or ``proposed Rule''). That clearance expires on July 31, 2007.

As part of the Commission's systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the Commission requests public comment on the overall costs, benefits, necessity, and regulatory and economic impact of the FTC's Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles (``Fuel Economy Guide'' or ``Guide''). The Commission is also seeking comments on whether the Guide should be amended in light of recent amendments to the Environmental Protection Agency's (``EPA'') fuel economy labeling rules for new automobiles.

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint and the terms of the consent orderembodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

On December 20, 2006, President Bush signed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (``PAEA'' or the ``Act'') into law. Congress intended the PAEA to increase competition and efficiency in the provision of mail service. The Act requires the Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission or ``FTC'') to prepare and submit to the President, Congress, and the Postal Regulatory Commission (``PRC'') a comprehensive report by December 20, 2007, identifying Federal and State laws that apply differently to the United States Postal Service (``USPS'') with respect to the competitive category of mail and to private companies providing similar products. To help prepare this report, the Commission is requesting public comment on several issues.