Markets Wired

Commission approval of public comment period extension – The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice extending the pubic comment period related to the current regulatory review of the Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (Used Car Rule) through November 19, 2008. On July 21, 2008, the FTC issued a Federal Register notice seeking public comments on the effectiveness and impact of the Rule, which was promulgated in 1984 and updated in 1995. The Used Car Rule requires used car dealers to disclose on a window sticker (the Buyers Guide) whether they are offering a dealer warranty, and if so, its basic terms and conditions. The Rule also requires that dealers use Spanish-language versions of the Guides when conducting sales in Spanish.

In the July notice, the FTC stated that the public comment period regarding the review of the Rule would end on September 19, 2008. Based on the request of several organizations, the Commission has decided to extend the public comment period until November 19, 2008. Information on how and where to submit comments can be found in the Federal Register notice on the Commission’s Web site. The Commission vote approving the extension of the public comment period was 4-0. (FTC File No. P087604; the staff contact is John C. Hallerud, FTC Midwest Region, Chicago, 312-960-5615; see press release dated July 16, 2008, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/ucr.shtm.)

Commission approval of final consent orders – Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries. The vote approving issuance of the final order was 4-0. (FTC File No. 071-0193; the staff contact is David L. Inglefield, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2637; see press release dated August 13, 2008, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/08/suntaro.shtm.)

– Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of a final consent order and a letter to the commenter of record in the matter concerning Carlyle Group Partners IV, L.P and INEOS Group, Ltd. The vote approving issuance of the final order was 4-0. (FTC File No. 071-0203; the staff contact is Catharine M. Moscatelli, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2749; see press release dated June 30, 2008, at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/ineos.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 46.2008.wpd)