NCJ Number
58611
Date Published
1977
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THIS GUIDE FOR BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS COVERS THE HISTORY, EMPOWERING STATUTES, ORGANIZATION, FUNCTIONS, AND POLICIES OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC), INCLUDING CASE AND RULE FLOW.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE, POWERS, AND JURISDICTION OF THE FTC MAKE IT THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAVING THE BROADEST AUTHORITY OVER DOMESTIC BUSINESS PRACTICES. IT IS CHARGED BY CONGRESS WITH PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AGAINST ANTICOMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR AND UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES. IT CAN ISSUE TRADE REGULATION RULES AND INDUSTRY GUIDES, AS WELL AS ADVISORY OPINIONS UPON REQUEST. IT HAS NO POWER TO FINE OR IMPRISON, BUT IT CAN SEEK CIVIL PENALTIES IN FEDERAL COURTS UP TO $10,000 PER VIOLATION DAY. A DISCUSSION COVERS PRE-FTC LEGISLATION AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT OF 1914, THE CLAYTON ACT, THE ROBINSON-PATMAN ACT, AND THE WHEELER-LEA AMENDMENT TO THE FTC ACT (1938), WHICH MADE UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES IN COMMERCE ILLEGAL. OTHER SPECIAL PURPOSE ACTS ARE COVERED. A DISCUSSION OF THE ORGANIZATION COVERS THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER HIGH STAFF APPOINTMENTS, THE BUREAU OF COMPETITION AND ITS DIVISIONS, THE BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AND ITS DIVISIONS, THE BUREAU OF ECONOMICS AND ITS DIVISIONS, THE OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE OFFICE OF POLICY PLANNING AND EVALUATION, THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES, THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL, THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY, AND THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. THE GUIDE CONCLUDES WITH A STATEMENT OF POLICIES TO OPEN COMMISSION ACTIVITIES TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND APPENDIXES SHOWING AN ORGANIZATION CHART, TYPICAL FTC CASE FLOW, TYPICAL FTC TRADE REGULATION RULE FLOW, REGIONAL OFFICES, AND A BRIEF CLASSIFIED LEXICON. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (TWB)