Announced Actions for April 20, 1999

The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions.

Comment Period Extended­Consumer Protection in the Global Electronic Marketplace

The Commission has extended until April 30, 1999, the deadline for receiving comments about consumer protection issues in the global electronic marketplace. The FTC will convene a public workshop on June 8 and 9, 1999 to discuss this topic and the comments received. Interested persons may review the comments that have been received by logging onto the FTC's website at <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/icpw/index.htm>. Academic papers and written comments should be submitted to: Secretary, FTC, Room H-159, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580 or email versions of comments may be sent to <EMarketplace@ftc.gov>. Comments should be captioned "U.S. Perspectives on Consumer Protection in the Global Electronic Marketplace ­ Comment, P994312." (See news release dated January 28, 1999; FTC File No. 994312; Staff contacts are Lisa Rosenthal, 202-326-2249, or Jonathan A. Smollen, 202-326-3457.)

Amended Complaints:

The Commission has voted to amend the complaint in FTC vs. Five Star Auto Club, Inc. et al (Civ No. 99-1693) to add as defendants: Thomas Lee Bewley, Judy E. Bewley individually and d/b/a Five Star Automotive Research and Information Consultants, Five Star Research and Information Consultants, and Five Star Auto Club Marketing Offices; Advance Funding, Inc.; and the original defendants d/b/a Five Star Automotive Research and Information Consultants and Five Star Consultants, Inc. The original complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 8, 1999, and the amended complaint was filed in the same court on April 9, 1999. The Commission vote to file the amended complaint was 4-0. (See news release dated March 11, 1999; FTC File No. X990040; Staff contact is James Kohm, 202-326-2640.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this FYI are available from the FTC's web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-FTC-HELP (202-382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710.