Press Conferences

Workshops

Press Conferences

For Release: March 9, 2010

10:30 am CST
FTC and States Attorneys General to Announce Major Identity Theft Initiative: FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will host a press conference at 10:30 CST on Tuesday, March 9, to discuss a major identity theft law enforcement initiative.
[Transcript]

      Windows Media Player

For Release: October 20, 2009

11am EDT
Cross-Border Fraud Settlement: The Federal Trade Commission announces a multi-million-dollar settlement with a major U.S. company for facilitating cross-border telemarketing fraud between the United States and Canada.
[Transcript]

      Windows Media Player

For Release: July 1, 2009

11am EDT
'Operation Short Change' Seeks to Protect Vulnerable Consumers : In conjunction with a joint federal/state law enforcement initiative, the Federal Trade Commission will hold a press conference to announce a law enforcement sweep cracking down on frauds fueled by the economic downturn.
[Transcript]

      Windows Media Player

Back to Top

Workshops

News Media Workshop
March 9-10, 2010

March 9 
9 am – 4:30pm
Windows Media Player (audio only)

March 10
10 am- 3pm
Windows Media Player (audio only)

Exploring Privacy: An FTC Roundtable Discussion
January 28, 2010

Panel 1 – Technology and Privacy
Windows Media Player

Panel 2 – Privacy Implications of Social Networking and Other Platform Providers
Windows Media Player

Panel 3 – Privacy Implications of Cloud Computing
Windows Media Player

Panel 4 – Privacy Implications of Mobile Computing
Windows Media Player

Panel 5 – Technology and Policy
Windows Media Player  

Sizing Up Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity
December 15, 2009

Session 1  8:45am-11:00am
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Session 2  11:15am-12:30pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Session 3  1:30pm-3:00pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]  

Session 4  3:15pm-4:45pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]  

Empowering E-Consumers: Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Internet Economy
December 8-10, 2009

Session 1  9:00am-1:00pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Session 2  2:30pm-3:50pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Session 3  4:00pm-6:00pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]   

Day 2  Wednesday, December 9, 2009
9:00 - 5:45 (PM EST)
-Panel 1: Mobile commerce
-Panel 2: C2C: Consumers as sellers
-Panel 3: Digital content products
-Panel 4: The participative web: consumer-driven content in e-commerce

Session 1  9:00am-12:00pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]  

Session 2  3:00pm-5:45pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Day 3  Thursday, December 10, 2009
9:00 - 5:45 (PM EST)
-Session 1: Protecting children on-line
-Session 2: Accountability in e-commerce
-Session 3: Issues for future consideration

Session 1  9:00am-12:40pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Session 2  4:30pm-5:45pm
Windows Media Player 
[Transcript] 

Exploring Privacy: An FTC Roundtable Discussion
December 7, 2009

Panel 1  8:30am-10:45am
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]  

Panel 2  11:00am-12:15pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Panel 3  1:15pm-2:45pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Panel 4  3:00pm-4:15pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Panel 5  4:30pm-6:00pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Debt Collection: Protecting Consumers
December 4, 2009

Morning Session 9am-10:45am
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Morning Session 11:00am-12:15pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 1:45pm-3:30pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 3:45pm-5:30pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Horizontal Merger Guideline Workshop
December 3, 2009

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) solicit public comments and will hold joint public workshops to explore the possibility of updating the Horizontal Merger Guidelines that are used by both agencies to evaluate the potential competitive effects of mergers and acquisitions. The goal of the workshops will be to determine whether the Horizontal Merger Guidelines accurately reflect the current practice of merger review at the Department and the FTC as well as to take into account legal and economic developments that have occurred since the last significant Guidelines revision in 1992.

9:00 - 4:45 (PM EST)
-Panel 1: Overview, Historical Perspectives, Role of the Guidelines
-Panel 2: Direct Evidence of Competitive Effects
-Panel 3: Market Definition Moderator: Richard Feinstein, Director, Bureau of Competition
-Panel 4: Unilateral Effects

Morning Session 9am-11am
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Morning Session 11:15am-12:30pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 2pm-3:15pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 3:30pm-4:45pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

News Media Workshop
December 1-2, 2009

The Federal Trade Commission will hold two days of workshops on December 1 and 2, 2009, to explore how the Internet has affected journalism. The workshop will assemble representatives from print, online, broadcast and cable news organizations, academics, consumer advocates, bloggers, and other new media representatives.

December 1
9:00 - 6:00 (PM EST)

-The State of Journalism Today and Tomorrow
-Emerging Business Models for Journalism
-Online Advertising and Consumer Demand Trends

Morning Session 9am-12pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 1:15pm-3:45pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 4pm-6pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

December 2
9:00 - 6:00 (PM EST)

-Public and Foundation Funded Journalism
-Reducing the Costs of Journalism
-Engaging and Informing Consumers in the Internet Age
-The New News

Morning Session 9am-12pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 1:00pm-2:45pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Afternoon Session 3pm-6pm
Windows Media Player
[Transcript]

Proposed Rulemaking to Amend the TSR to Address the Sale of Debt Relief Services
November 4, 2009

9:00 - 11:00 (AM EST)

Moderator: Joel Winston, Associate Director, Division of Financial Practices

The Proposed Advance Fee Ban
[Transcript]

11:00 - 12:30 (PM EST)

Moderator: Joel Winston, Associate Director, Division of Financial Practices

Implementation Issues Raised by the Proposed Advance Fee Ban
[Transcript]

1:30 - 3:15 (PM EST)

Moderator: Alice Hrdy, Assistant Director, Division of Financial Practices

The Proposed Disclosure & Misrepresentation Provisions
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player

3:30 - 5:15 (PM EST)

Moderator: Allison Brown, Senior Attorney, Division of Financial Practices

Definitions & Scope
[Transcript]

Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration: A Roundtable Discussion
September 29-30, 2009

 
Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration: A Roundtable Discussion examines consumer protection issues in debt collection proceedings against consumers. The first day will focus on arbitration proceedings, while the second will focus on litigation proceedings. The Commission also encourages comments from the public relevant to these topics.

September 29, 2009

12:00 - 1:15 (PM EDT)

Opening Remarks: Charles Harwood, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission

Initiating Proceedings and Consumer Participation Rates
-How should arbitration proceedings be initiated so that consumers are made aware of them and their potential consequences? What evidence is there as to consumers' understanding and knowledge about the arbitration process?
-Who should have the burden of establishing that adequate notification regarding arbitration was given? What evidence of appropriate consumer notification should be required in an arbitration proceeding?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practices with respect to notifying consumers about arbitration? Should there be any other changes with respect to initiating proceedings or consumer participation?
[Transcript]

1:30- 2:30 (PM EDT)

Choice of Provider, Choice of Location, and Role of Consumer Choice
-To what extent do consumers have a choice as to whether disputes regarding their debts are subject to arbitration?
-Are arbitration proceedings faster or cheaper than court proceedings for debt collection disputes? What other benefits and costs flow from the use of arbitration proceedings for debt collection disputes?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice regarding consumer choice about whether, when, or where to arbitrate, which organization is the arbitration provider, or how individual arbitrators are selected?
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

4:00- 6:15 (PM EDT)

Bias and Transparency
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to ties between collectors and arbitration providers? Which, if any, of these ties create bias or perceived bias? Should such ties be prohibited or disclosed to consumers?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice to make the results and reasoning behind arbitration decisions more transparent and public? Should arbitration decisions have precedential effects on future arbitrations?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice to require the systematic reporting of data about consumer arbitration, as is done in California?

Windows Media Player   

September 30, 2009

12:00 - 1:45 (PM EDT)

Opening Remarks: Jeffrey Klurfeld, Director, Western Regional Office, Federal Trade Commission

Initiating Suits: Default Judgments and Service of Process
-How frequently are default judgments entered in debt collection litigation? What evidence is there of a possible relationship between default judgments and service of process?
-In what ways is process served in debt collection litigation against consumers? What role do the courts have regarding service of process? What is required of debt collectors regarding service of process?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to service of process or default judgments?
[Transcript]

2:00- 3:15 (PM EDT)

Timing: Statute of Limitations Issues
-How frequently do debt collectors seek to collect on debt that is beyond the statute of limitations? Are debt collectors more likely to collect on debt that is beyond the statute of limitations with certain types of debt, or on behalf of certain types of owners of debts?
-What role do the courts have in addressing statute of limitations issues in debt collection? What substantiation, if any, regarding the statute of limitations should be required of collectors?
-Should collectors be required to affirmatively disclose to consumers that they have no legal obligation to pay a debt that is beyond the statute of limitations? Should there be other changes in the law or industry practice with respect to statute of limitations issues?
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

4:30- 6:45 (PM EDT)

Prima Facie Collection Case and Evidentiary Burdens
-What evidence of indebtedness do debt collectors typically provide to courts in connection with the debt collection complaints they file? Does the evidence that is provided vary based on the type of debt being collected or the type of debt owner?
-What substantiation of indebtedness is typically provided along with the complaints filed in debt collection litigation? Is sufficient substantiating evidence typically provided over the course of debt collection litigation?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice to require debt collectors to file greater evidence of indebtedness? Should there be any other changes?
Garnishment
-How frequently do debt collectors freeze or garnish bank accounts containing exempt federal benefits to collect on judgments? When and how are consumers notified regarding the freezing or garnishing of funds?
-What are the respective roles of the courts, the banks, the collectors, and the judgment debtors in protecting exempt federal funds from freezing or garnishment?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to debt collectors freezing and garnishing bank accounts containing exempt federal benefits?
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

7:00- 8:00 (PM EDT)

Closing Issues and Future Directions
-What debt collection litigation issues do you think the FTC needs to further study or discuss?
-What role should the FTC play with respect to debt collection litigation proceedings?
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

Back to Top

Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration: A Roundtable Discussion
August 5-6, 2009

 
Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration: A Roundtable Discussion, hosted by the Federal Trade Commission and Northwestern Law School's Searle Center, examines consumer protection issues in debt collection proceedings against individual consumers. It is the first in a series of FTC roundtable discussions on these issues. The event is free and open to the public, and there will be no preregistration. The first day will focus on litigation proceedings, while the second will focus on arbitration proceedings. The Commission also invites comments from the public relevant to these topics.

August 5, 2009

10:00 - 11:45 (AM EDT)

Opening Remarks: Joel Winston, Associate Director, Federal Trade Commission, Division of Financial Practices

Initiating Suits: Default Judgments and Service of Process
-How frequently are default judgment entered in debt collection litigation? Are debt collectors more likely to obtain a default judgment with some types of debt, such as credit card debt, or on behalf of some types of owners of debts, such as debt buyers?
-What costs and benefits result from the entry of default judgments?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to service of process or default judgments?
[Transcript]

12:00- 1:15 (PM EDT)

Timing: Statute of Limitations Issues
-How frequently do debt collectors collect or seek to collect on debt that is beyond the statute of limitations? Are debt collectors more likely to collect or seek to collect on debt that is beyond the statute of limitations with some types of debt, or on behalf of some types of owners of debts?
-What are the costs and benefits of collectors attempting to collect on debt that is beyond the statute of limitations?
-Should collectors be required to disclose affirmatively to consumers that they have no legal obligation to pay a debt that is beyond the statute of limitations? Should there be other changes in the law or industry practice with respect to collecting on debt that is beyond the statute of limitations?
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

2:30- 4:30 (PM EDT)

Prima Facie Collection Case and Evidentiary Burdens
-What evidence of indebtedness do debt collectors typically provide to courts in connection with the debt collection complaints they file?  Does the evidence that is provided vary based on the type of debt being collected or the type of debt owner?
-Is sufficient evidence typically provided along with the complaints that are filed in debt collection litigation?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice to require debt collectors to submit greater evidence of indebtedness?

Windows Media Player   

4:45- 6:00 (PM EDT)

Productive Change and Best Practices
-How have industry members, consumer advocates, and court personnel worked, together or separately, on possible changes in the law or industry practice to address problems related to debt collection litigation?  Do any of these possible solutions appear to be working or likely to work?
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

August 6, 2009

10:00 - 11:45 (AM EDT)

Opening Remarks: David Vladeck, Director, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection

Consumer Arbitration and the FAA: A Primer
Christopher Drahozal, Professor of Law, University of Kansas School of Law; Chair, Arbitration Task Force of the Searle Civil Justice Institute at Northwestern University School of Law

Initiating Proceedings and Consumer Participation Rates
-How should arbitration proceedings be initiated so that consumers are made aware of them and their potential consequences?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practices with respect to notifying consumers about arbitration?
[Transcript]

12:00- 1:00 (PM EDT)

Choice of Provider, Choice of Location, and Role of Consumer Choice
-To what extent should consumers have a choice as to whether disputes regarding their debts are subject to arbitration?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice regarding the degree of consumer choice about arbitration disputes, such as whether, when, or where to arbitrate, which organization is the arbitration provider, or which individual arbitrator will adjudicate the proceeding?
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

2:30- 3:45 (PM EDT)

Arbitration Provider Procedures
-What procedures should apply in debt collection arbitration proceedings?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to these procedures?
Bias and Perceptions of Bias
-To what extent are there ownership, contractual, or other ties between collectors and arbitration providers? Which, if any, of these ties should be prohibited or disclosed to consumers?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to arbitration conduct to address real or perceived bias?
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

4:00- 6:00 (PM EDT)

Transparency of Results; Role of Precedent
-Should the results and reasoning behind arbitration decisions be stated clearly and publically? Should arbitration decisions have precedential effects on future arbitrations?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice to make arbitration decisions more transparent or to increase their precedential value?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice to require the systematic reporting of data about consumer arbitration, as is done in California?
Enforcing Awards; Contesting Awards
-How should a debt collector who wins an arbitration award be able to convert that decision into an enforceable judgment?
-How and when should a consumer be able to contest an arbitration decision?
-Should there be changes in the law or industry practice with respect to collectors' ability to convert arbitration decisions into judgments or consumers' ability to contest such decisions?
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

Back to Top

FTC Hearings on Resale Price Maintenance
May 20-21, 2009

 
The Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop on Resale Price Maintenance (RPM) to examine, for the purposes of enforcing Section 1 of the Sherman Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act. The May 20th panel will review existing empirical studies of RPM, or studies of other vertical restraints that might inform our thinking on RPM. In addition, the Panel will explore future possible research avenues in light of potential testable hypotheses underlying various theories regarding the competitive effects of RPM. The first panel on May 21st will explore the legal and business history of the use and treatment of RPM in the United States. The Panel will focus on changes in business practices, as well as the legal and business management doctrines relating to RPM. The second panel on May 21st will assess the guidance provided by the Leegin Court regarding the analysis of RPM under the rule of reason, and will explore how the rule of reason may be applied post-Leegin.

May 20, 2009

10:00 - 11:00 (AM EDT)

Panel 1 :Empirical Evidence On the Effects of RPM: This Panel will review existing empirical studies of RPM, or studies of other vertical restraints that might inform our thinking on RPM. In addition, the Panel will explore future possible research avenues in light of potential testable hypotheses underlying various theories regarding the competitive effects of RPM.
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

11:15- 12:45 (PM EDT)
Group Discussion
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

May 21, 2009

1:00 - 2:00 (PM EDT)

Panel 1: Legal and Business History to the Use of RPM in the United States: This Panel will explore the legal and business history of the use and treatment of RPM in this country. The Panel will focus on changes in business practices, as well as the legal and business management doctrines relating to RPM.
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

2:15- 3:15 (PM EDT)

Panel 2: Rule of Reason Analyses Post-Leegin:This Panel will assess the guidance provided by the Leegin Court regarding the analysis of RPM under the rule of reason. Questions that may be considered include: whether the distinction between price and non-price vertical restraints has any continuing utility; whether particular presumptions might be appropriate; under what conditions might a bquick-lookb rule of reason analysis be appropriate; will the Leegin decision preempt per se illegality for RPM under state law; how will the pleading standard in the Twombly decision affect RPM litigation; and what lessons have we learned thus far from the application of Leegin by the lower courts.
Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

3:30- 5:00 (PM EDT)
Group Discussion
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player  

Back to Top

Best Practices for Business: Protecting Personal Information and Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule
April 29, 2009

 
This workshop provides a comprehensive approach to help businesses prevent identity theft. Businesses must implement data security practices that deter identity thieves from obtaining personal information to open or access accounts. Businesses also must pay attention to telltale signs - or red flags - suggesting that thieves may be trying to use personal information that they have already acquired.

9:30 - 10:25 (AM EST)

Opening Remarks: 

William Michael Treanor, Fordham Law School Dean
Leonard Gordon, Regional Director, Northeast Region, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director, New York State Consumer Protection Board (NYCPB)
Jonathan Mintz, Commissioner, New York City Department of Consumer Affairs

Presentation :  Risks & Costs: What's at Stake?
Business and legal reasons to address data security including:
- Federal laws and standards enforced, recent cases, and the costs, penalties, and relief imposed
- New York laws and standards enforced, recent cases and the costs, penalties, and relief imposed
- Prospects of private litigation against companies that experience a breach
- Other costs of data breaches - breach response costs, reputational damage, customer relations impact
- Other business rationales for improved data security
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

10:30- 11:40 (AM EST)
Panel 1 : Protecting Personal Information: Steps & Strategies
Practical guidance and lessons learned from persons engaged in security compliance.
[Transcript

] Windows Media Player   

11:50- 1:00 (PM EST)
Panel 2 : When Things Go Wrong: Planning for & Responding to Data Breaches
Breach response and the importance of planning ahead.
[Transcript

Windows Media Player

Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: Practical Guidance for Business

2:00 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Opening Remarks

Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO, Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York
Megan Harvick, Certification Manager, International Association of Privacy Professionals: 

 
Presentation : The Basics: Requirements of the Red Flags Rule
The scope, structure, and requirements of the Red Flags Rule.
[Transcript]

  Windows Media Player   

3:05 - 4:30 (PM EST)

 
Panel : Nuts & Bolts: Putting Together a Red Flags Program
This panel will draw on the experiences of those who have created and administered a Red Flags Program.

Closing Remarks
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

Back to Top

FTC HEARING ON THE EVOLVING IP MARKETPLACE
Markets for Intellectual Property
April 17, 2009

April 17, 2009
INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLES
The Federal Trade Commission hosts the fourth in its series of hearings on the Evolving IP Marketplace. This set of hearings will explore the emergence of new business models in the market for intellectual property, strategies for buying, selling and licensing patents and the role of secondary markets. It will also showcase recent academic scholarship in these areas.

9:30 - 10:00 (AM EST)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:  James E. Malackowski, President & CEO, Ocean Tomo
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

10:15 - 12:30 (PM EST)
Panel 1 : ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Some of the most significant recent changes in markets for intellectual property have occurred through the emergence of new business models involving the buying, selling and licensing of patents. This panel will discuss valuing and monetizing patents, strategies for buying and selling patents and the role of secondary markets for intellectual property.
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

2:00 - 4:15 (PM EST)
Panel 2 : RECENT SCHOLARSHIP IN PATENT MARKETS
As markets for intellectual property have developed and evolved, so has the scholarship analyzing them. This panel will showcase some of the recent academic thinking about the development and functioning of markets for intellectual property and the policy implications surrounding them.
[Transcript]

Windows Media Player   

Back to Top