News Releases for October 2009

October 30, 2009

• For Release: October 30, 2009
  FTC Extends Enforcement Deadline for Identity Theft Red Flags RuleAt the request of Members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission is delaying enforcement of the “Red Flags” Rule until June 1, 2010, for financial institutions and creditors subject to enforcement by the FTC.
• For Your Information: October 30, 2009
  Commission Extends Time for Whole Foods to Divest Wild Oats Stores Through March 2010At the request of the divestiture trustee, the FTC has extended the time Whole Foods Markets, Inc., via the trustee, will have to divest certain Wild Oats stores and the Wild Oats intellectual property, as required under a Commission order dated May 29, 2009.
• For Your Information: October 30, 2009
  Cutting Home Heating Bills Down to SizeWhether you use oil, natural gas, or electricity, there are many ways to ensure that you stay warm at home this winter without heating the great outdoors.

October 29, 2009

• For Release: October 29, 2009
  Statement of FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz On passage of H.R. 3126, the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2009 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee
• For Release: October 29, 2009
  FTC Order Restores Competition Lost Through Schering-Plough’s Acquisition of MerckCompanies Must Sell Significant Human and Animal Health Care Assets
• For Release: October 29, 2009
  FTC Calls for Improved Advertising and Billing Practices to Empower Consumers and Facilitate Competition Among Telephone, Cable and Other Communications ProvidersIn response to a request by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for comment, the Federal Trade Commission has urged adoption of policies to protect and empower consumers as they buy and use communications services, including telephone, cable, and Internet access services.
• For Release: October 29, 2009
  Final FTC Roundtable to Discuss Debt Collection Litigation; Continued Call for Public CommentsThe Federal Trade Commission will host a public event on consumer protection issues arising when debt collectors sue consumers to recover on a debt.

October 27, 2009

• For Release: October 27, 2009
  U.S. Court of Appeals Enforces Subpoenas in FTC’s Androgel Investigation; In Separate Case, FTC Files Petition to Compel Enforcement of Subpoena Issued to Boehringer IngelheimThe Federal Trade Commission today announced two subpoena enforcement actions challenging tactics that delay agency investigations.
• For Your Information: October 27, 2009
  Commission Proposes New Light Bulb Labels, Seeks Public Comments; Commission Dismisses Individual Defendant from Case Against "Making Home Affordable" ImpostersThe FTC has proposed new labeling requirements for "lamps," commonly known as light bulbs, in response to a congressional mandate. The FTC has voted to dismiss defendant Neil Sperry from FTC v. Cantkier, a law enforcement action against several defendants marketing homeowner relief programs.

October 23, 2009

• For Your Information: October 23, 2009
  Halloween's Coming: Trick or Tweet from the FTCJust in time for Halloween: The Federal Trade Commission has 12 Tweets about protecting yourself, your kids, and your computer when online
• For Your Information: October 23, 2009
  FTC Seeks Public Comments on Petition by BASF SE to Sell Ciba's IB and BV Businesses to Dominion Colour CorporationThe FTC is seeking public comments on a petition by BASF SE for approval to divest Ciba Holding Inc.’s Indanthrone Blue (IB) and Bismuth Vanadate (BV) Pigments Businesses to Dominion Colour Corporation.

October 22, 2009

• For Release: October 22, 2009
  Maker of Rayon Clothes Barred from Deceptive "Bamboo" ClaimsCompany's Products Not Made of Bamboo Fiber

October 20, 2009

• For Release: October 20, 2009
  MoneyGram to Pay $18 Million to Settle FTC Charges That it Allowed its Money Transfer System To Be Used for FraudCompany Also Required to Implement Comprehensive Anti-Fraud Program and to Monitor its Agents
• For Release: October 20, 2009
  Iconix Brand Group Settles Charges Its Apparel Web Sites Violated Children's Online Privacy Protection ActCompany Will Pay $250,000 Civil Penalty

October 19, 2009

• Media Advisory: October 19, 2009
  Federal Trade Commission to Announce Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement With Major U.S. Firm for Facilitating Cross-Border Fraud The Federal Trade Commission will host a press event on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at 11 am EDT to announce a multi-million-dollar settlement with a major U.S. company for facilitating cross-border telemarketing fraud between the United States and Canada.
• CORRECTED
  For Release: October 19, 2009
  Consumer Data Broker ChoicePoint Failed to Protect Consumers' Personal Data, Left Key Electronic Monitoring Tool Turned Off for Four MonthsNew Settlement Imposes Stricter Compliance Regimen

October 15, 2009

• For Release: October 15, 2009
  Statement of FTC Chairman Jon LeibowitzSenate Judiciary Committee’s Passage of the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act (S. 369)

October 14, 2009

• For Release: October 14, 2009
  FTC Order Prevents Anticompetitive Effects from Pfizer’s Acquisition of WyethPreserves Competition for Animal Vaccines and Other Animal Health Products

October 13, 2009

• Media Advisory: October 13, 2009
  FTC Director of Division of Advertising Practices to Discuss Revised Endorsements and Testimonials GuidesMedia Encouraged to Call with Questions

October 12, 2009

• For Release: October 12, 2009
  Statement of FTC Chairman Jon LeibowitzRegarding the Announcement that Arthur D. Levinson Has Resigned from Google’s Board

October 9, 2009

• For Release: October 9, 2009
  FTC Stops Two Deceptive Telemarketing OperationsMagazine Seller, Medical Discount Plan Pitchmen Barred From False Claims
• For Release: October 9, 2009
  FCC and FTC Chairmen Jointly Encourage The Public to Take Safeguards to Protect Themselves, Their Privacy, and Their Personal Information OnlineWashington, D.C. – As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz today encouraged the public to take steps to protect themselves, their privacy, and their personal information online.

October 8, 2009

• For Release: October 8, 2009
  Two Bogus Credit Repair Operations Settle FTC ChargesTwo bogus credit repair companies and their principals settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they falsely claimed they could clean up consumers’ credit reports and collected up-front fees for their services, in violation of federal law.

October 7, 2009

• For Release: October 7, 2009
  Commission Order Restores Competition Eliminated by Carilion Clinic’s Acquisition of Two Outpatient ClinicsHospital Must Sell All Clinic Assets Acquired in 2008
• For Release: October 7, 2009
  FTC Seeks Comments on Proposals to Amend 'Free Credit Report' RuleThe Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule, also known as the "Free Credit Report Rule."

October 6, 2009

• For Release: October 6, 2009
  FTC Settles with Six Companies Claiming to Comply with International Privacy FrameworkSix U.S. businesses have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceived consumers by falsely claiming they were abiding by an international privacy framework that provides a means for U.S. companies to transfer data from the European Union to the United States in keeping with EU and U.S. law.
• For Your Information: October 6, 2009
  FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Matter Concerning Constellation Brands, Inc.Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter of Constellation Brands, Inc., and sent letters to the commenters of record.

October 5, 2009

• For Release: October 5, 2009
  FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, TestimonialsChanges Affect Testimonial Advertisements, Bloggers, Celebrity Endorsements
• For Your Information: October 5, 2009
  Commission Extends Public Comment Period For Proposed Debt Relief RulemakingThe Federal Trade Commission today announced an extension of the public comment period for proposed Debt Relief Amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

October 2, 2009

• For Release: October 2, 2009
  Administrative Law Judge Dismisses Complaint in Case Challenging Cancer Cure ClaimsAn Administrative Law Judge has dismissed a Federal Trade Commission administrative complaint alleging that the respondents were responsible for the deceptive advertising of an herbal remedy that was falsely advertised as a cure for cancer.
• For Your Information: October 2, 2009
  FTC Seeks Public Comments on Petition by Dow Chemical Company to Sell Hollow Sphere Particle Business to OMNOVA Solutions, Inc.The FTC is seeking public comments on a petition by Dow Chemical Company for approval to divest its hollow sphere particle business to OMNOVA Solutions Inc., as required by a Commission consent order issued on March 31, 2009.