Federal Trade Commission 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Except as specifically described below, the FTC has completed its regulatory review of its Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (``Used Car Rule'' or ``Rule'') as part of the FTC's systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides. The Commission has decided to retain the Rule and, in a separate Federal Register document, to amend it by changing the Spanish translation of the Buyers Guide. In addition, the Commission also has decided to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking (``NPR'') soliciting comments on proposed changes to the Rule. In this NPR, the Commission addresses the comments received during its review and invites public comment on the following four proposed changes to the Buyers Guide: adding boxes to the back of the Buyers Guide where dealers would have the option to indicate manufacturers' and other third-party warranties; adding a statement to the Buyers Guide encouraging consumers to seek vehicle history information and directing consumers to an FTC Web site for more information about vehicle histories; adding catalytic converters and airbags to the List of Systems on the back of the Buyers Guide; and adding a statement in Spanish to the English Buyers Guide directing consumers who cannot read the Buyers Guide in English to ask for a copy of it in Spanish.

The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') has completed its regulatory review of its Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (``Used Car Rule'' or ``Rule'') as part of the FTC's systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides. The Commission has decided to retain the Rule and to issue this final rule making nonsubstantive revisions to the Spanish translation of the Used Car Buyers Guide and nonsubstantive technical changes to the Rule. The revisions to the Spanish translation were published for public comment when the Commission announced its regulatory review of the Rule.

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 FTC seeks public comments on its proposal to extend through April 30, 2016 the current PRA clearance for information collection requirements contained in its Alternative Fuels Rule. That clearance expires on April 30, 2013.

The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') requests public comments on the overall costs and benefits of and the continuing need for its Guides for Advertising Allowances and Other Merchandising Payments and Services (``the Fred Meyer Guides'' or ''the Guides''), as part of the agency's review of all its current regulations and guides.

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.

The FTC intends to ask the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') to extend through November 30, 2015, the current Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'') clearance for the FTC's shared enforcement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (``CFPB'') of the information collection requirements in subpart N of Regulation V. That clearance expires on November 30, 2012.

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.

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.

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 FTC seeks public comments on its proposal to extend through February 28, 2016, the current OMB clearance for information collection requirements contained in its Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Trade Regulation Rule (``MTOR'' or ``Rule''). That clearance expires on February 28, 2013.

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.

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.

The consent agreements in these matters settle 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 complaints and the terms of the consent ordersembodied in the consent agreementsthat would settle these allegations.

The FTC intends to ask the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') to extend through November 30, 2015, the current Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'') clearance for the information collection requirements in the FTC Red Flags/Card Issuers/Address Discrepancies Rules \1\ (``Rules''). That clearance expires on November 30, 2012.

The FTC is reopening the period for filing public comments in connection with a workshop to examine competition and consumer protection issues in the pet medications industry. The workshop will consider how current industry distribution and other business practices affect consumer choice and price competition for pet medications; the ability of consumers to obtain written, portable prescriptions that they can fill wherever they choose; and the ability of consumers to verify the safety and efficacy of pet medications that they purchase. The workshop will also examine the extent to which recent changes to restricted distribution and prescription portability practices in the contact lens industry might yield lessons applicable to the pet medications industry. The Commission seeks the views of consumers, veterinarians, business representatives, economists, lawyers, academics, and other interested parties on these issues. This notice poses a series of questions relevant to those issues about which the Commission seeks comment. After conducting the workshop and reviewing comments, the Commission may prepare a report discussing these issues.

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.

The Federal Trade Commission proposes to amend its Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act to update its Fur Products Name Guide, provide more labeling flexibility, incorporate recently enacted Truth in Fur Labeling Act provisions, and eliminate unnecessary requirements. The Commission does not propose changing or providing alternatives to the required name on labels for nyctereutes procyonoides fur products. The Commission also does not propose changing the Rules' product coverage scope or continuing guaranty provisions.

The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'' or ``FTC'') is amending its Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR'') by updating the fees charged to entities accessing the National Do Not Call Registry (the ``Registry'') as required by the Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007.

The FTC intends to ask the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') to extend through September 30, 2015, the current Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'') clearance for the information collection requirements in the Health Breach Notification Rule. That clearance expires on September 30, 2012.

The FTC is extending the deadline for filing public comments on the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries.

The Commission is proposing amendments to the premerger notification rules (``the Rules'') to provide a framework for determining when a transaction involving the transfer of rights to a patent in the pharmaceutical, including biologics, and medicine manufacturing industry (North American Industry Classification System Industry Group 3254) (``pharmaceutical industry'') is reportable under the Hart Scott Rodino Act (``the Act'' or ``HSR''). The Act and Rules require the parties to certain mergers and acquisitions to file reports with the Federal Trade Commission (``the Commission'') and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (``the Assistant Attorney General'') (collectively, ``the Agencies'') and to wait a specified period of time before consummating such transactions. The reporting and waiting period requirements are intended to enable these enforcement agencies to determine whether a proposed merger or acquisition may violate the antitrust laws if consummated and, when appropriate, to seek a preliminary injunction in federal court to prevent consummation. This proposed rulemaking uses the concept of ``all commercially significant rights'' as the basis to determine whether there is a transfer of exclusive rights to a patent in the pharmaceutical industry resulting in an asset acquisition that may be reportable under the Act.

In 2003 the Federal Trade Commission issued a Policy Statement on Monetary Remedies in Competition Cases. The Commission has now withdrawn the Policy Statement.

The FTC intends to conduct an evaluation of Admongo, its advertising literacy program for children ages 8-12. The evaluation will involve a randomized controlled trial of the Admongo program involving 6,000-8,000 students. This research will be conducted to further the FTC's mission of protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive marketing. The information collection requests described below are being submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'').