The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or “Department”) issued today new Vertical Merger Guidelines that outline how the federal antitrust agencies evaluate the likely competitive impact of vertical mergers and whether those mergers comply with U.S. antitrust law. These new Vertical Merger Guidelines mark the first time the Department and the […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Sends Refunds to People who lost Money to Work-From-Home Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission is sending full refunds totaling more than $284,000 to people who lost money to a scheme that used misleading spam emails to lure consumers into buying work-from-home services. The FTC alleged that Effen Ads, LLC and its owners worked with an affiliate marketing network called W4 LLC to promote a work-from-home […]
FTC Requires Casino Operators Eldorado Resorts, Inc. and Caesars Entertainment Corporation to Divest Assets in Two Local Markets as a Condition of Merger
The Federal Trade Commission will require casino operator Eldorado Resorts, Inc. to divest casino-related assets in the South Lake Tahoe area of Nevada, and the Bossier City-Shreveport area of Louisiana, to settle charges that Eldorado’s $17.3 billion agreement to acquire Caesars Entertainment Corporation likely would be anticompetitive in those markets. The Commission also will prevent competitive […]
FTC Puts an End to Deceptive Advertising of Light Therapy Device
The marketers of a low-level light therapy device (LLLT) called Willow Curve will have to stop making alleged deceptive claims that the device treats chronic, severe pain and associated inflammation, under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. In a complaint filed in federal court, the FTC alleged that the marketers of Willow Curve have […]
FTC and SBA Warn Six Companies to Stop Potentially Misleading Marketing Aimed at Small Businesses Seeking Coronavirus Relief Loans
The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have sent warning letters to six companies that may be misleading small businesses seeking SBA loans as a result of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. The letters highlight claims by the companies that could lead consumers to believe the companies are affiliated with the SBA, or […]
FTC Requires Divestitures as Condition of Tri Star Energy, LLC’s Acquisition of Certain Assets of Hollingsworth Oil Company, Inc., C & H Properties, and Ronald L. Hollingsworth
Tri Star Energy, LLC and Hollingsworth Oil Company, Inc., C & H Properties, and Ronald L. Hollingsworth have agreed to divest, retail fuel assets to settle charges that Tri Star’s proposed acquisition of certain assets from Hollingsworth would violate federal antitrust law. Tri Star, a Nashville, Tennessee-based energy company, operates fuel outlets and convenience stores in […]
FTC Announces Final Amendments to the Agency’s Contact Lens Rule
The Federal Trade Commission today announced the approval of a final rule amending the agency’s Contact Lens Rule, which facilitates shopping for contact lenses by requiring prescribers to automatically provide a copy of a patient’s prescription to the patient and to verify or provide prescriptions to third-party sellers. The Final Rule requires prescribers to request that […]
FTC Sending Refund Checks Totaling More Than $8.7 Million to Consumers Defrauded by Deceptively Marketed Online “Risk-Free Trial” Offers
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refunds totaling more than $8.7 million to 187,425 consumers who signed up online for “risk-free” trial offers, but were then charged full price and enrolled in expensive continuity plans without their knowledge. The refunds are the result of several orders settling the FTC’s allegations against San Diego-based Triangle Media […]
FTC Issues Staff Report on Made in USA Workshop, Seeks Comment on Related Proposed Rulemaking for Labeling Rule
The Federal Trade Commission today issued a staff report on an FTC workshop on Made in USA claims that was held last fall, and a notice of proposed rulemaking for a Made in USA Labeling Rule (proposed Rule). The proposed Rule will apply to product labels making Made in USA and other unqualified U.S.-origin claims. […]
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Repeal of the Care Labeling Rule
As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on a proposed repeal of the Care Labeling Rule. The Rule may not be necessary to ensure manufacturers provide care instructions, may have failed to keep up with a dynamic marketplace, and may […]