FTC

 

Webcasts

 

Press Conferences

Workshops

 

Press Conferences

 

For Release: December 1, 2008

FORMER COMMISSIONER MARY GARDINER JONES TO RECEIVE FTC'S KIRKPATRICK AWARD: On Monday, December 1, Chairman Kovacic will present former Commissioner Mary Gardiner Jones with the Miles W. Kirkpatrick Award for Lifetime FTC Service. Commissioner Jones served from 1964 to 1973. Since then, she has been a tireless advocate for the public interest. Former Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Jodie Bernstein and Deputy Director Teresa Schwartz also will participate in the ceremony. The presentation will begin at 3:30 pm in room H-432.
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For Release: October 23, 2008

'Operation Clean Sweep' Announcement
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For Release: September 18, 2008

In cooperation with law enforcement and regulatory agencies in the United States and Canada, the Federal Trade Commission will hold a press conference to announce deceptive advertising complaints it has filed against online peddlers of bogus cancer cures.
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For Release: August 14, 2008

The Federal Trade Commission will announce a multi-million dollar consumer redress settlement against the maker of a well known natural remedy.

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For Release: July 29, 2008

Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents- Press Conference

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For Release: May 20, 2008

Federal Trade Commission ‘Operation Tele-PHONEY’ Press Conference
The Federal Trade Commission, together with more than 30 law enforcement partners from the United States and Canada, announces the results of ‘Operation Tele-PHONEY’ at a joint press conference at FTC Headquarters in Washington, DC. The sweep includes a range of cases targeting telemarketing fraud such as pitches for advance-fee loans and credit cards, supposedly free gifts and prize promotions, medical prescription drug plans, tax rebates, magazine subscriptions, and “low-cost” household products. The Commission also announces a new consumer education campaign that includes a Web site and other materials designed to help people avoid becoming victims of telemarketing fraud.
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For Release: November 7, 2007

Federal Trade Commission Do Not Call Press Conference
Remarks by Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras.
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For Release: October 4, 2007

FTC Announces Recent Efforts to Combat Fraud Targeting Hispanics
The Federal Trade Commission will hold a press briefing to describe recent efforts to combat fraud targeting Spanish speakers, including recent law enforcement actions, a work-at-home ad review, and consumer and media outreach. An FTC official will outline the FTC’s efforts and answer questions from the press. A consumer will recount her experience with an alleged work-at-home scam and answer questions.
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For Release: April 23, 2007

The President's Identity Theft Task Force Releases Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Combat Identity Theft
WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras today announced the completion of the President's Identity Theft Task Force strategic plan to combat identity theft.
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Workshops

December 5, 2008
FTC Hearing on The Evolving IP Marketplace

December 5
9:30 - 11:30 (AM EST)

Opening Remarks: William Kovacic, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

Panel 1: Developing Business Models

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. The first panel will discuss the operation of emerging business models, aspects of the patent system that support those models, and industry responses. The panel will also explore the implications these developing business models have for patent valuation and licensing.
[Transcript]

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December 5
1:00 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Keynote Address: The Honorable Paul R. Michel, Chief Judge, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Panel 2: Recent and Proposed Changes In Remedies Law

This panel will explore recent and proposed changes in remedies law, their impact on innovation and consumers, and the use of economic analysis in determining remedies. Among other topics, the panel will consider: what economic evidence is relevant when analyzing whether to grant a permanent injunction; whether the legal rules governing patent damages result in awards that appropriately compensate patentees; and whether changes in willfulness doctrine have altered the behavior of patentees and potential infringers.
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December 5
3:15 - 4:45 (PM EST)

Panel 3: Legal Doctrines That Affect The Value and Licensing of Patents

In the third panel, participants will examine changes in legal doctrines that affect the value and licensing of patents brought about by recent Supreme Court cases on obviousness, declaratory judgment and exhaustion. The panel will also discuss the role of unpredictability and notice in the IP marketplace..
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November 21, 2008
FTC Roundtable on Follow-on Biologic Drugs: Framework For Competition and Continued Innovation

November 21
8:30 - 10:30 (AM EST)

Session 1: Likely Market Effects of Follow-On Biologic (FOB) Drug Competition

Welcoming Remarks: FTC Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour

Opening Remarks: Rachel Behrman, FDA, “How Do Biologic Drugs Differ from Small Molecule Drugs?”

Discussion Topics: Participants will discuss the price and market share effects of entry by both biosimilar and biogeneric (i.e., substitutable and interchangeable with the referenced product) drug products. They also will discuss the likely competitive effects Follow-on Biologic (FOB) drug products will have on reimbursement by private and public (e.g., Medicare Part B) payers.
[Transcript]

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November 21
10:45 - 12:00 (PM EST)

Session 2: Likely Competitive Effects of Reference Product Regulatory Exclusivity

Discussion Topics: The participants will discuss the economic model to assess the pros and cons of any regulatory exclusivity period provided to referenced products from both the innovator firms’ and FOB applicants’ perspectives. In particular, panelists will discuss issues of recoupment and innovation in relation to the time periods preventing FOB competitors from seeking regulatory approval. Panelists also will explore the pros and cons of varying the length of any regulatory exclusivity period based on whether an FOB entrant is a biogeneric or biosimilar product and other ways to encourage innovation.
[Transcript]

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November 21
1:00 - 2:45 (PM EST)

Session 3: Biotechnology Patent Issues

Discussion Topics: The participants will discuss the interaction between patents claiming biotechnology products and regulatory exclusivity periods. The panelists will discuss whether there are differences between biotechnology patents and small molecule patents relating to (1) claim drafting and PTO approval processes; and (2) trends regarding judicial review. They also will discuss whether regulatory exclusivity and patent rights affect innovator firm and FOB applicant needs for business planning certainty.

Part 2: Likely Competitive Effects of Follow-on Biologic Regulatory Incentives

Discussion Topics: Participants will discuss whether there is a need to provide regulatory incentives for the filing of FOB applications. The participants will examine the effects of using a marketing exclusivity period for FOB products similar to the one provided generic applicants under the Hatch-Waxman Act. They also will discuss whether such incentives are necessary to encourage the development of biogeneric FOB products.
[Transcript]

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November 21
3:00 - 5:00 (PM EST)

Session 4: Patent Dispute Resolution Processes

Discussion Topics: The participants will discuss the need for, and the likely competitive effects of, different ways to structure a process to resolve patent disputes between innovator firms and FOB applicants prior to FDA approval of FOB products. The participants will use the Case Study to focus on: (1) when to start such a process; (2) how and to whom such notifications will be provided; and (3) what patents to be included in such a process (including patents obtained after such a process has begun).
[Transcript]

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November 6th, 2008
Market Manipulation Rule Workshop

The Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”) Market Manipulation Rule workshop will discuss the proposed Rule prohibiting market manipulation in the petroleum industry, set out in the FTC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”), and comments submitted in response to the NPRM. The workshop will be conducted as a moderated roundtable discussion with panelists who submitted a timely request to participate and a comment on the NPRM. An FTC moderator will ask questions of panelists who will be seated at the table throughout the day. Due to the interrelatedness of the topics at issue, the workshop will be broken down into a morning session and an afternoon session, rather than separate issue panels, that will cover the following discussion topics in the general order identified below. The Commission will consider the views expressed at the workshop, along with previously submitted comments, in determining the desirability of promulgating a market manipulation rule and the format and content of any such rule.

November 6th
9:30 - 11:00 (AM EST)

Morning Session
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November 6th
11:15 - 12:30 (PM EST)

Morning Session, continued
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November 6th
2:00 - 3:15 (PM EST)

Afternoon Session
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November 6th
3:30 - 5:00 (PM EST)

Afternoon Session, continued (Including “open mike” session, time permitting, at conclusion of afternoon session).
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October 30, 2008
FTC Roundtable on the Competitive Significance of Healthcare Provider Quality Information

 

October 30th
9:00 - 11:00 (AM EST)

Introductory Remarks:  FTC Chairman William Kovacic

Session 1: Consumer and Physician Quality Information Needs
Objective:  To identify those attributes of health care quality that different purchasers (e.g., consumers, employers, insurers, and physicians) need, and must use, to enable quality-based competition among providers and treatment options.  The discussion will be a needs assessment by purchaser type to determine how quality information affects, and can affect, purchaser selection of health care providers and treatments

.Consumer Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss consumer health care information needs, regardless of the consumers’ insurance status.  The panelists will discuss the type and scope of health care provider quality and performance information (e.g., types of measures, scope of differences, etc.) that consumers need to select providers; the comparative effectiveness of treatments by medical condition to assist consumers with evaluating and selecting their treatment options; and the presentation and format issues involved with communicating quality information directly to consumers.
           

Physician Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the quality information physicians need about specialists and hospitals as they care for their patients.  Panelists also will discuss the comparative effectiveness information of treatments needed to provide high quality care.
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October 30th
11:15 - 12:45 (PM EST)

Session 2: Employer and Insurer Quality Information Needs
Employer Discussion Topics:  As part of employment-based insurance coverage, employers have implemented a variety of strategies to help consumers use quality and performance information to select providers and treatments.  The participants will discuss the quality information employers need to assist employees with using quality information to select providers and treatments.  Panelists also will discuss the information employers need to assess the quality of insurers’ provider networks and plan coverage. 
 

Insurer Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the quality information insurers use to make decisions about which providers to include in their networks or quality-based service tiers.  They also will discuss insurance plan benefit design strategies to incentivize consumers to select providers based on differences in quality or performance.  The discussion also will focus on insurers’ need for information about the comparative effectiveness of treatments to help determine plan design and coverage.
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October 30th
1:45 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Session 3: Barriers to Quality-Based Competition Among Providers and Treatments
Objective:  To identify the most significant barriers to competition based on provider quality and the comparative effectiveness of treatments.

Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the most significant barriers to enhancing the competitive significance of health care quality information.  Discussion will address the barriers to measuring, collecting, reporting, and using health care quality information that makes a difference to consumers, employers, insurers, and physicians as they select among providers and treatment options.  These barriers include the lack of awareness about quality differences among providers and treatments; measurement science, risk adjustment, and data quality issues; the limits of direct-to-consumer quality reporting; and the lack of symmetry between the provision of high-quality services and provider reimbursement policies (e.g., pay-for-performance and issues related to concerns that improvements in quality can reduce reimbursement because fewer procedures or hospitalizations are needed).
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October 30th
3:15 - 4:45 (PM EST)

Session 4:  Policies to Facilitate Quality Information Measuring, Collecting, and Reporting
Objective:  To identify the pros and cons of policies that could be used to enhance the competitive significance of health care quality information.

Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the policies necessary to measure, collect, and report quality information to enhance its competitive significance.  Discussion will include how to enable transparency of results information by medical conditions over the complete cycle of care, policies state and federal payers can take to enhance quality information reporting, and ways to enhance the development of information about the comparative effectiveness of different treatments for the same medical condition.  Panelists also will be asked to discuss their priorities for short-term and long-term policies to help reduce or lessen existing barriers (regardless of whether the policy actions might be federal, state, private, or public/private collaborations).
[Transcript]

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October 30, 2008
FTC Roundtable on the Competitive Significance of Healthcare Provider Quality Information

 

October 30th
9:00 - 11:00 (AM EST)

Introductory Remarks:  FTC Chairman William Kovacic

Session 1: Consumer and Physician Quality Information Needs
Objective:  To identify those attributes of health care quality that different purchasers (e.g., consumers, employers, insurers, and physicians) need, and must use, to enable quality-based competition among providers and treatment options.  The discussion will be a needs assessment by purchaser type to determine how quality information affects, and can affect, purchaser selection of health care providers and treatments

.Consumer Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss consumer health care information needs, regardless of the consumers’ insurance status.  The panelists will discuss the type and scope of health care provider quality and performance information (e.g., types of measures, scope of differences, etc.) that consumers need to select providers; the comparative effectiveness of treatments by medical condition to assist consumers with evaluating and selecting their treatment options; and the presentation and format issues involved with communicating quality information directly to consumers.
           

Physician Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the quality information physicians need about specialists and hospitals as they care for their patients.  Panelists also will discuss the comparative effectiveness information of treatments needed to provide high quality care.
[Transcript]

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October 30th
11:15 - 12:45 (PM EST)

Session 2: Employer and Insurer Quality Information Needs
Employer Discussion Topics:  As part of employment-based insurance coverage, employers have implemented a variety of strategies to help consumers use quality and performance information to select providers and treatments.  The participants will discuss the quality information employers need to assist employees with using quality information to select providers and treatments.  Panelists also will discuss the information employers need to assess the quality of insurers’ provider networks and plan coverage. 
 

Insurer Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the quality information insurers use to make decisions about which providers to include in their networks or quality-based service tiers.  They also will discuss insurance plan benefit design strategies to incentivize consumers to select providers based on differences in quality or performance.  The discussion also will focus on insurers’ need for information about the comparative effectiveness of treatments to help determine plan design and coverage.
[Transcript]

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October 30th
1:45 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Session 3: Barriers to Quality-Based Competition Among Providers and Treatments
Objective:  To identify the most significant barriers to competition based on provider quality and the comparative effectiveness of treatments.

Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the most significant barriers to enhancing the competitive significance of health care quality information.  Discussion will address the barriers to measuring, collecting, reporting, and using health care quality information that makes a difference to consumers, employers, insurers, and physicians as they select among providers and treatment options.  These barriers include the lack of awareness about quality differences among providers and treatments; measurement science, risk adjustment, and data quality issues; the limits of direct-to-consumer quality reporting; and the lack of symmetry between the provision of high-quality services and provider reimbursement policies (e.g., pay-for-performance and issues related to concerns that improvements in quality can reduce reimbursement because fewer procedures or hospitalizations are needed).
[Transcript]

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October 30th
3:15 - 4:45 (PM EST)

Session 4:  Policies to Facilitate Quality Information Measuring, Collecting, and Reporting
Objective:  To identify the pros and cons of policies that could be used to enhance the competitive significance of health care quality information.

Discussion Topics:  The participants will discuss the policies necessary to measure, collect, and report quality information to enhance its competitive significance.  Discussion will include how to enable transparency of results information by medical conditions over the complete cycle of care, policies state and federal payers can take to enhance quality information reporting, and ways to enhance the development of information about the comparative effectiveness of different treatments for the same medical condition.  Panelists also will be asked to discuss their priorities for short-term and long-term policies to help reduce or lessen existing barriers (regardless of whether the policy actions might be federal, state, private, or public/private collaborations).
[Transcript]

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October 23, 2008
Hart-Scott-Rodino Premerger Notification Back to Basics Workshop

The Federal Trade Commission will host a half-day public workshop on October 23, 2008, in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the implementation of Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.   The workshop, hosted by the Bureau of Competition's Premerger Notification Office, will cover the basics of HSR premerger notification, such as how to determine whether premerger notification is required and how to prepare an HSR filing. 

October 23rd
9:00 - 10:45 (AM EST)

Welcome:  Marian Bruno Deputy Director,  Bureau of Competition

Opening Remarks:  David P. Wales, Jr.,  Acting Director, Bureau of Competition

Session 1: When to File: An overview of the rules and exemptions
16 CFR 801: How to determine if you must file.   
Karen Berg,  Premerger Notification Office
16 CFR 802: Exemptions.  
Mike Verne,  Premerger Notification Office
Discussion of hypothetical scenarios
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October 23rd
11:00 - 1:00 (PM EST)

Session 2:  How to File: Submitting an error free HSR form
16 CFR 803: The mechanics of filing. 
Janice Johnson, Premerger Notification Office
Panel Discussion on Filling out the form.
Kathryn E. Walsh, Premerger Notification Office
Dani Jachino, Kirkland & Ellis
Ellen M. Jakovic, Kirkland & Ellis  

Additional guidance from the PNO staff :
Paying the filing fee:  Sheila Clark-Coleman
Corrective filings:   Malcolm Catt
E-filing:  Robert Jones
Using the New HSR Website:  Kathryn E. Walsh

Closing Remarks:  Robert Jones
[Transcript]

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October 17, 2008
Workshop on Section 5 of The FTC Act As A Competition Statute

October 17th
9:00 - 10:05 (AM EST)

Opening Remarks: Chairman William E. Kovacic

Panel 1: The History of Section 5
This panel will review the history of Section 5, including its enactment by Congress, the FTC’s enforcement, and the courts’ responses.  It will consider:  What legal, economic, and policy concerns have been historically important in the interpretation of Section 5?  What principles concerning the scope of Section 5 can be garnered from Supreme Court and appellate court decisions?  How has the agency applied Section 5 in consent agreements over the past two decades?
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October 17th
10:15 - 12:00 (PM EST)

Panel 2: Interpretations of Section 5
This panel will discuss a range of possible legal interpretations of Section 5.  Particular questions that this panel might consider include the following:  Is Section 5 coterminous with the Sherman Act?  Does the Sherman Act encompass all conduct that is harmful to competition?  Does Section 5 authorize the FTC to fill technical gaps in the coverage of the other antitrust statutes? Should Section 5 be interpreted to reach practices that pose some threat to competition and few offsetting benefits to consumers, where enforcement is limited to the FTC and relief is limited to an injunction prohibiting or undoing the challenged conduct?  
[Transcript]

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October 17th
1:15 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Remarks: Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch

Panel 3: Application of Section 5 To Business Practices
The third panel will consider the possible application of these interpretations to various instances of business conduct, including the practical implications of enforcement actions. The questions discussed by this panel may include the following: What are examples of contemporary business conduct that may be unfair methods of competition addressable by Section 5? How does this conduct harm competition and consumers? How can an unfair method of competition be defined so as to avoid capturing benign or procompetitive conduct, and so as to offer sufficient guidance and predictability for business?
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Octoberr 17th
3:15 - 5:00 (PM EST)

Remarks: Commissioner Jon Leibowitz

Panel 4: Application of Section 5 To Standard-Setting Issues
The fourth panel will examine the application of Section 5 to competition issues involving standard-setting. This panel will consider many of the same practical questions that were before Panel 3, but with the focus sharpened to the special context of standard-setting. In that context, what economic evidence and analysis would be useful in identifying violations? What evidence and analysis would be useful in identifying limiting principles?
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September 25, 2008
Consumer Protection And The Debt Settlement Industry

September 25th
8:30 - 10:00 (AM EST)

Opening Remarks: Lydia Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection

Welcome: Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch

Panel 1: Overview of the For-Profit Debt Settlement Industry: Understanding the Origins of the Industry
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September 25th
10:15 - 11:30 (AM EST)

Panel 2: The For-Profit Debt Settlement Industry Today: Perspectives on Current Industry Trends and Practices
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September 25th
12:45 - 2:30 (PM EST)

Panel 3: Protecting the Consumer: A Discussion of Consumer Protection Challenges
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September 25th
2:45 - 4:30 (PM EST)

Panel 4: The Future of the For-Profit Debt Settlement Industry: Where Will the Industry Go from Here

Closing Remarks: Peggy Twohig
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September 23, 2008
Transatlantic RFID Workshop on Consumer Privacy and Data Security

September 23rd
8:30 - 10:15 (AM EST)

Welcoming remarks by Chairman William Kovacic

Report from the September 22, 2008 RFID Symposium by Gérald Santucci, Head of Unit, DG Information Society and Media, European Commission.

Panel 1: RFID in Contactless Payment Systems
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September 23rd
10:30 - 12:00 (PM EST)

Panel 2: Item-level Tagging in Retail
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September 15, 2008
Federal Trade Commission: Lamp Labeling Roundtable

September 15th
9:00 - 10:40 (AM EST)

Welcome/ Background - FTC Lamp Labeling

Session 1: Energy Use and Light Output Disclosures
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September 15th
10:50 - 11:30 (AM EST)

Session 2: Color Temperature Disclosures
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September 15th
11:40 - 1:00 (PM EST)

Session 3: Label Format Issues and Follow Up
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July 29-30th, 2008
Federal Trade Commission: Into Our 2nd Century

July 29th
8:30 - 10:15 (AM EST)

Opening Remarks by Chairman Kovacic

Session 1: FTC Mission, Structure, and Resources
This panel will focus on the FTC’s mission and examine the extent to which the agency’s current structure and resources aid or hinder pursuit of this mission. Topics to be covered include: (1) whether the current structure allows for optimal use of resources; (2) the optimal mix of attorneys, economists, and support personnel; (3) harmonization of the competition and consumer protection missions; (4) whether the agency has the right information to guide its enforcement, advocacy, and other programs; and (5) issues raised by including investigative and adjudicatory functions within a single agency.
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July 29th
10:30 - 12:00 (PM EST)

Session 2: Deployment of Agency Resources: Enforcement
This panel will discuss how the agency deploys its enforcement capabilities and coordinates those efforts with other means for advancing competition and protecting consumers. Topics to be covered include: (1) case generation and selection; (2) the appropriate role of enforcement guidelines and advisory opinions; (3) the use of industry self-regulation as a complement to enforcement; (4) whether enforcement outcomes are achieved in a timely manner; and (5) burdens imposed by the agency’s enforcement efforts.
[Transcript]

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July 29th
1:30 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Session 3: Deployment of Agency Resources: Policy Research and Development
This panel will explore how the FTC allocates its available resources, focusing on the means by which policy is formed and the proper mix of tools to implement that policy. Topics to be covered include: (1) the most effective means for forming policy; (2) the optimal use of the agency’s enforcement, research, advocacy, and education tools; (3) setting a research agenda; (4) the proper use of the agency’s rulemaking authority; and (5) the effective use of consumer and business education.
[Transcript]

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July 29th
3:15 - 4:45 (PM EST)

Session 4: The Agency"s External Relationships
This panel will focus on how the FTC responds to, and interacts with, its core constituencies. It will also explore the FTC’s relationships with other federal agencies, the states, and international entities. Topics to be covered include: (1) identification of the agency’s core constituencies; (2) whether the agency risks undermining its autonomy or sense of mission in responding to any of these constituencies’ demands; (3) effective communication of the agency’s goals and outcomes; (4) means by which the agency can influence the adoption of sound competition and consumer protection policies by other policy makers; and (5) advancement of the agency’s mission via its external relationships.
[Transcript]

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July 30th
9:00 - 10:00 (AM EST)

Session 1: Characteristics of a Successful Government Agency
This panel will explore general issues related to government administration. Topics to be covered include formal structure, statutory powers, decision-making process, articulation of and support for an agency’s mission, types of resources available, agency autonomy, responsiveness to constituencies, and transparency.
 [Transcript]

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July 30th
10:15 - 12:00 (PM EST)

Session 2: Effectiveness of the FTC's Competition Mission
This panel will focus on the Bureau of Competition’s use of enforcement authority to advance the Commission’s goals regarding competition. Among the topics to be covered will be: (1) how to measure the benefits of enforcement (e.g., direct benefits of case outcomes to consumers, deterrence of future violations, and clarification and advancement of legal doctrine) and (2) how to allocate Commission resources between enforcement actions and other Bureau of Competition activities, such as workshops, competition advocacy, and issuance of guidelines.
[Transcript]

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July 30th
1:00 - 2:45 (PM EST)

Session 3: Effectiveness of the FTC's Consumer Protection Mission
This panel will focus on the Bureau of Consumer Protection’s use of enforcement authority and consumer education tools to advance the Commission’s consumer protection goals. Among the topics to be addressed are: (1) how to measure the benefits of consumer protection efforts, including enforcement, research, and advocacy; (2) how to allocate consumer protection resources across the various enforcement areas, such as telemarketing, spam, deceptive advertising, and fraud; and (3) the effectiveness of various consumer protection tools.
[Transcript]

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July 30th
3:00 - 5:00 (PM EST)

Session 4: How to Measure the Welfare Effects of the FTC's Competition and Consumer Protection Efforts
This panel will examine the success of the FTC’s competition and consumer protection missions through the lens of welfare economics. Among the questions the panel will address are: (1) how to measure the welfare effects of the enforcement activities of the FTC; (2) whether welfare effects can be measured accurately through retrospective studies; and (3) measuring the direct welfare effects of cases (e.g., stopping the unlawful conduct), as well as the indirect effects of cases (e.g., clarifying or advancing the law and enhancing deterrence).
[Transcript]

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July 24, 2008
Pay on the Go: Consumers and Contactless Payment Town Hall Meeting

 

July 24th
11:30 - 1:30 (PM EST)

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Session 1
Part 1: Introduction to Contactless Payment: What it Is and How it Is Used
Part 2: Consumer Understanding and Acceptance of Contactless Payment Technology

 [Transcript]

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July 24th
1:45 - 3:30 (PM EST)

Session 2: Contactless Payment Cards
[Transcript]

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July 24th
5:00 - 6:30 (PM EST)

Session 3: Mobile Payment Devices
[Transcript]

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July 24th
6:45 - 8:00 (PM EST)

Session 4: Meeting the Challenges: Strategies and Approaches

Closing Remarks

[Transcript]

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July 15, 2008
Green Building and Textiles Workshop

 

July 15th
9:00 - 10:25 (AM EST)

Welcoming Remarks
James Kohm, Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission

Opening Remarks
William E. Kovacic, Associate Director, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

Session 1: Weaving Green Textile Claims – Cotton, Organic Cotton, and Bamboo
 [Transcript]

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July 15th
10:40 - 11:40 (AM EST)

Session 2: Tying-Up Loose Ends – Substantiating Green Textile Claims and the Need for FTC Guidance
[Transcript]

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July 15th
1:00 - 2:15 (PM EST)

Session 3: Shades of Green- Overview of Green Claims for Building Products
[Transcript]

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July 15th
2:30 - 3:30 (PM EST)

Session 4: Framing It Up- Consumer Protection Issues Regarding Green Building Certifications
[Transcript]

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July 15th
3:45 - 5:00 (PM EST)

Session 5: Punch List for Green Buildings- Roundtable on Consumer Protection Challenges & the Need for FTC Guidance
[Transcript]

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May 29, 2008
Protecting Consumers in the Mortgage Market

 

May 29th
8:30 - 10:10 (AM EST)

Welcoming Remarks
Michael Baye, Director, Bureau of Economics, Federal Trade Commission

Session 1: Economic Analysis of Mortgage Product Development, Market Structure, and Mortgage Outcomes
Real estate and mortgage market experts will explain how and why the mortgage market developed to include products with a wide variety of features offered to
consumers with varying credit histories and assets. Panelists will provide an historical overview of the mortgage market, an understanding of developments of
the non-prime mortgage market, and an analysis of mortgage features of concern to consumer policy analysts, including: pre-payment penalties, no down-payment
loans, interest-only mortgages, and various adjustable interest rate products. They will also examine changes in mortgage retailing.   
[Transcript]

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May 29th
10:25 - 11:55 (AM EST)

Session2: Economic Analysis of Consumer Information and Mortgage Choice
This panel will feature experts on information economics, consumer behavior, and consumer information research in the mortgage market. Panelists will
provide an overview of the role of information on consumer choice from an economic perspective, and empirical research on consumer mortgage knowledge
and consumer understanding of mortgage disclosures. The role of advertising in the mortgage market will also be examined. 
[Transcript]

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May 29th
1:00 - 2:40 (PM EST)

Welcoming Remarks for Afternoon Session
William Kovacic, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

Session 3: Roundtable Examining the Impact of Consumer Information on the Mortgage Market Crisis
Experts on housing markets, mortgage markets, consumer information and consumer behavior will be asked to consider how consumer information issues
and changes in the mortgage market, discussed in the two prior sessions, may be related to recent problems in the mortgage market.
[Transcript]

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May 29th
3:00 - 4:45 (PM EST)

Session 4: Developing Disclosures for Real Consumers to Help Prevent Deception, Delinquency, and Foreclosure – Where Should Policymakers Go From Here?
This final panel will discuss how consumer information policies could be developed to help prevent deception and delinquencies in the mortgage market.
The panel will include experts on information mortgage policy proposals, disclosure design, consumer behavior, and mortgage finance needs of consumers. Panelists will consider what information people need most, when they need the information, and the role of consumer research in designing and testing information that consumers will understand.
[Transcript]

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May 29, 2008
Clinical Integration in Health Care: A Check-Up

May 29th
9:00 - 10:45 (AM EST)

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Chairman William E. Kovacic, Federal Trade Commission

Background and Context for the Workshop
This session will review the antitrust agencies’ activities with regard to clinical integration, from articulation of the concept in the 1996 Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Health Care to the present. 

Panel 1: Federal Government Initiatives to Improve Health Care Delivery through Collaboration among Health Care Providers
This panel features speakers who will describe government initiatives to promote health care delivery through collaboration among health care providers that may be relevant to the concept of clinical integration and may have the potential for application beyond government programs. The session will include a discussion of, among other things, CMS’s ongoing demonstration project, “The Physician Hospital Collaboration Demonstration,” which is intended to determine if “gainsharing” arrangements in which hospitals reward physicians for savings achieved as a result of collaborative efforts to improve quality and reduce cost effectively align incentives of hospitals and physicians to improve the quality and efficiency of care..     
[Transcript]

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May 29th
11:00 - 12:15 (PM EST)

Panel 2:  Private Initiatives to Improve Health Care Delivery through Collaboration among Health Care Providers
This panel will describe initiatives private parties are currently undertaking to improve health care delivery through collaboration among health care providers. Topics of discussion will include the kinds of collective activities that parties are pursuing, the goals the collective activities are designed to achieve, the infrastructure and investment required to achieve these goals, the obstacles the collaborations have faced, the mechanisms and incentives put in place to increase compliance, and the approach programs use to measure success. Panelists will also be asked to discuss how joint contracting with payers contributes to their program’s ability to accomplish its clinical goals, and whether “exclusivity” (that is, an agreement that participants contract exclusively through the group) is necessary for the program to be successful.  
[Transcript]

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May 29th
1:45 - 2:45 (PM EST)

Panel 3:  Payer Perspectives on Initiatives to Improve Health Care Delivery through Collaboration among Health Care Providers 
This panel will discuss actual experiences that employers, health plans, and other purchasers have had working with health care providers offering programs to improve health care delivery through collaboration among the providers. Participants in this session will be asked to address, among other things, the extent to which provider collaborations that involve clinical, but not financial, integration meet the needs of employers, health plans, and consumers.
[Transcript]

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May 29th
3:00 - 4:00 (PM EST)

Panel 4 :  Health Care Services Research on Initiatives to Improve Health Care Delivery through Collaboration among Health Care Providers
This panel will review the existing empirical research concerning the manner and extent to which provider collaborations have succeeded or are likely to succeed in improving health care quality and containing costs. Questions the participants will be asked to address include what, if any, factors the empirical literature has identified that are essential to the success of such collaborations, what kinds of results can such collaborations reasonably be expected to achieve, and is there reason to believe that such collaborations among otherwise competing health care providers can actually help improve health care delivery?
[Transcript]

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May 29th
4:15 - 5:45 (PM EST)

Panel 5:  Wrap-Up Session
This concluding panel will highlight the key take-aways of the day’s sessions. Participants will be asked to describe the context and framework in which potential clinical integration initiatives are evaluated, including the current counseling and law enforcement environments, and to comment on the current and future initiatives discussed in prior sessions. 
[Transcript]

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For Release: May 6, 2008
Beyond Voice: Mapping the Mobile Marketplace

May 6th
9:00 - 11:00 (AM EST)

Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Commissioner Jon Leibowitz, Federal Trade Commission

Session 1:  The Mobile Marketplace — What, How, and Who
This session will provide an introduction to the role of mobile commerce, beyond traditional voice service, in today’s society.  This overview will include a discussion of demographics, consumer habits, and popular and anticipated uses of mobile services within the United States.  It will also refer to developments in mobile commerce outside the United States. 

Session 2:  Mobile Messaging — Unsolicited, Premium, and Interactive Messaging
This session will provide an overview of text/SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messaging, introduce innovations, and highlight billing concerns.     
[Transcript]

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May 6th
11:15 - 12:30 (PM EST)

Session 3:  Mobile Applications — Games, Widgets, and More
This session will offer a series of demonstrations about the many possibilities offered by modern mobile devices, which are barely recognizable from the cell phones of yesterday.  Industry panelists will discuss how different mobile ecosystems open up the world of applications, from games to social networking.  
[Transcript]

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May 6th
1:45 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Session 4:  Location-Based Services 
This session will offer a roundtable discussion of the emerging world of location-based services, through carrier-controlled environments or other mechanisms.  This discussion will include reference to broadcasting commercial appeals and coupons to phones.  There will be a discussion of disclosures about tracking and consumer control of information.
[Transcript]

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May 6th
3:15 - 5:00 (PM EST)

Session 5:  Mobile Advertising and Marketing - The Transition and Adaptation to Mobile Devices and the Small Screen
This session will examine the general transition of advertising and marketing to mobile devices, discuss mobile-specific advertising campaigns, and address issues such as the targeting of advertising in the mobile space and strategies that advertisers use to adjust to small mobile screens. 
[Transcript]

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May 7th
9:00 - 10:30 (AM EST)

Session 6:  Managing Your Mobile Device
This session will offer a discussion about the availability and consumer awareness of mechanisms for managing mobile devices, including provider-based options for limiting text messaging and capping cell phone-billed purchases.   
[Transcript]

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May 7th
10:45 - 12:15 (PM EST)

Session 7: Children and Teens
This session will discuss the mobile space as it relates to children and teens.  Topics to be explored include: youth-directed mobile campaigns and advertising; the social and psychological effects of mobile usage on children and teens; and the control options available to parents to manage the mobile devices used by their children.
[Transcript]

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May 7th
1:45 - 3:00 (PM EST)

Session 8:  Best Practices
This session will offer a roundtable discussion of the issues raised in the previous sessions; the current and future role of industry self-regulation, including the role of the carriers as gatekeepers for the third-party services for which they bill; the role of other participants, such as mobile billing aggregators; and steps in place to limit the potential for fraud.
[Transcript]

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May 7th
3:15 - 4:15 (PM EST)

Session 9:  Mobile Security — Whose Phone Is It Anyway?
This session will begin with an overview of the differences between mobile devices and standard computers for security issues, including inadvertent enabling of unwanted access (i.e., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).  Panelists and audience members will then discuss consumer awareness of risks, including storing data on these devices, and awareness of security measures.

Closing Remarks
Mary Beth Richards, Deputy Director, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection
[Transcript]

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For Release: April 30, 2008
Green Packaging Claims Workshop

April 30th
9:00 - 10:25 (AM EST) Session 1: Opening the Package — Overview of Trends in Packaging Claims

Welcoming Remarks: James Kohm, Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, FTC

Opening Remarks: William E. Kovacic, Chairman, FTC
[Transcript]

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April 30th
10:40 - 11:45 (AM EST) Session 2: Parceling Out the Green Guides — Do They Need Rewrapping?

[Transcript]

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April 30th
1:00 - 2:00 (PM EST) Session 3: Unpacking the New Green Claims — Should They Be Covered?

[Transcript]

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April 30th
2:15 - 3:15 (PM EST) Session 4: Substantiating Green Packaging Claims — Life Cycle Analysis, Third-Party Certification, Logos and Seals
 
[Transcript]

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April 30th
3:25 - 5:30 (PM EST) Wrapping it Up: Roundtable on Consumer Protection Challenges
and the Need for FTC Guidance

[Transcript]

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For Release: April 24, 2008
Innovations in Health Care Delivery Workshop

April 24th
9:00 - 10:45 (AM EST) Panel 1: Limited Service Clinics

Introductory Remarks:

Chairman William E. Kovacic

Limited service health care clinics, sometimes called “retail” or “store-based” clinics are often located in pharmacies, shopping malls, or retail stores and  provide a limited menu of basic medical services, most often performed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Many believe these clinics will help improve access to basic medical care by providing lower cost and more convenient treatment.  Others, however, have raised questions about quality of care and adequacy of oversight. These concerns have prompted proposals for additional state regulation of this relatively new form of health care delivery.  The limited service clinic model has also tended to promote the adoption and integration of health IT. 
[Transcript]

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April 24th
11:00 - 12:00 (PM EST) Panel 2: Quality and Price Information Transparency

Initiatives to provide consumers with greater information about the price and quality of health care services rest on the idea that better informed consumers can make better health care choices, which can lead to higher quality care and lower health care costs.  Some observers, however, have expressed concern that current quality metrics may not adequately capture actual quality of care and may place too much emphasis on low prices.  Further, the sharing of pricing information can raise competition issues.
[Transcript]

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April 24th
1:00 - 2:30 (PM EST) Panel 3: Health IT – Providers’ Issues

Electronic health records and electronic prescribing systems have the potential to reduce administrative costs and medical errors due to incomplete, hard-to-access, or faulty paper records. The Department of Health and Human Services has developed an extensive framework to facilitate the adoption of electronic health records by the medical community, including the certification of particular products for creating and maintaining such records. Private companies have also started offering personal electronic health record services.  Electronic access to medical expertise for both patients and care providers has the potential to improve the distribution of medical services as well.  Some observers, however, have raised concerns about interoperability (between systems), standards, security, privacy, and short-term costs. 
[Transcript]

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April 24th
2:45 - 4:15 (PM EST) Panel 4: Health IT – Consumer Issues

One of the primary consumer protection issues for health information technology is patient privacy, as concerns have been raised about present and pending practices and the reach of current federal and state privacy protections, especially in the area of electronic health records.  Data security is a distinct, but very much related issue. More generally, there is an interest in knowing more about what it is that health IT means for health care consumers -- what might be the nature of their interaction with new utilities and modes of health care practice, what might be the risks they encounter, and what might be the benefits they enjoy. 
[Transcript]

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April 24th
4:30 - 5:30 (PM EST) Panel 5: Innovations in Health Care Delivery: Practice and Prognosis
 
[Transcript]

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For Release: February 12, 2008
UNILATERAL EFFECTS ANALYSIS AND LITIGATION WORKSHOP

February 12th
9:00 - 10:15 (AM EST) Session 1: Foundations of Unilateral Effects Theories: Core Features, Economic
Bases, and Potential Grounds for Attack

Introductory Remarks:

Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

This panel will discuss the core features and economic bases of unilateral effects theories of competitive harm in merger analysis, including the underpinnings of the Cournot, Bertrand, and Dominant Firm models, and the kinds of market environments in which these analytical constructions are applicable. The panel will also consider the factual situations that give rise to unilateral effects concerns, e.g., the circumstances that signal that a merger investigation should likely focus on unilateral effects issues. In addition, the panel will discuss how the underlying predicates of unilateral effects theory might be open to attack in actual litigation practice and the bases of such attacks.
[Transcript]

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February 12th
10:30 - 12:00 (PM EST) Session 2: The Role of Market Definition in Unilateral Effects Analysis and in the Litigation of Unilateral Effects Cases

This panel will focus principally on issues related to the probative value, if any, of market definition and market shares in unilateral effects analysis of mergers of firms selling competing, but differentiated, products. The panel will also address such questions as (1) whether, as a matter of policy and law, it is sufficient simply to infer a relevant market (line of commerce) from direct evidence of competitive effects or whether such an inference should be buttressed by an independent investigation of likely consumer switching in response to a SSNIP; (2) whether differences between a SSNIP selected for market definition and a projected likely post-merger percentage price increase contribute unnecessarily to confusion about the focus of unilateral effects theories; and (3) whether, as a matter of policy and law, a relevant market need be identified at all when there is direct evidence of competitive harm.
[Transcript]

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February 12th
1:15 - 3:30 (PM EST) Session 3:

1:15 - Judicial Perspectives on Unilateral Effects

Only a small number of judicial decisions relate to the application unilateral effects theory in differentiated product markets, and even fewer decisions explicitly discuss unilateral effects theory. This panel, presented in the form of a mock closing argument of a merger trial with follow-up discussion, will address how judges approach unilateral effects cases, and what they see as the most outcome-determinative issues in such cases. The panel will also discuss how to increase judicial understanding of unilateral effects theory and the way different forms of evidence supports such a theory of harm.

2:15 - Evidentiary Issues Related to Proving Unilateral Effects
The panel will examine issues related to the value of various kinds of evidence, including econometric and non-econometric economic evidence as well as non-expert evidence, such as strategic planning documents and statements of party executives. The panel will consider how best to marshal and present facts relevant to a unilateral effects case, as well as effective means to “sell” the story to courts. The panel will also address how a court should resolve conflicting predictions about competitive effects that may arise when economic evidence is developed by different means or economic models and becomes a “battle of the experts.”
[Transcript]

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February 12th
3:45 - 5:00 (PM EST)  Session 4: Virtues and Limitations of Econometric Versus Other Approaches for
Developing Economic Evidence


This panel will examine the positive and negative attributes of both econometric and noneconometric economic evidence to prove liability in unilateral effects cases under varying factual conditions—such as whether marketplace conditions are “dynamic,” whether the merger involves industrial products or retailing, and whether the relevant product market is a single product or comprises a cluster of products. The reliability of both forms of economic evidence will be considered, with special emphasis on how best to demonstrate reliability to courts. The panel will also examine whether any one economic research technique or approach for developing economic evidence (e.g., formal statistical, econometric analysis; merger simulations; or “critical loss” analysis that may rely on descriptive statistics or qualitative information) is legally sufficient to prove likely anticompetitive effects.
[Transcript]

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For Release: January 8, 2008
Carbon Offsets & renewable Energy Certificates

January 8th
9:00 - 10:55 (AM EST) Session 1: Market Overview — Current Practices for Carbon
Offsets and RECs

Welcoming Remarks: James Kohm, Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, FTC

Opening Remarks: Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman, FTC

Introduction to Advertising Law: Lesley Fair, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC
[Webcast Transcript]

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January 8th
11:10 - 11:50 (AM EST) Session 2: Property Rights and Product Development — Economic Analysis

[Webcast Transcript]

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January 8th
1:00 - 2:15 (PM EST) Session 3: Technical Substantiation Issues

[Webcast Transcript]

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January 8th
2:30 - 3:15 (PM EST)  Session 4: Certification Programs and Self-Regulatory Efforts

[Webcast Transcript]

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January 8th
3:30 - 5:00 (PM EST)  Session 5: Roundtable Discussion on Consumer Protection
Challenges and Need for FTC Guidance

[Webcast Transcript]

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For Release: December 10-11, 2007
Security In Numbers: SSNs and ID Theft

December 10th
9:00 - 10:45 (AM EST) Welcoming Remarks; Framing the Issues; Panel 1 – How SSNs are Used to Commit ID Theft

The workshop will begin with welcoming remarks by Lydia B. Parnes, the Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, and a presentation framing the issues to be discussed at the workshop by Joel Winston, Associate Director of the FTC's Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. Panel 1 will then explore how identity thieves obtain consumers' SSNs and how thieves use SSNs in the commission of their crime. This panel will look at the nature and extent of the SSN "problem" and will provide a context for discussions throughout the workshop about the costs and benefits of possible restrictions on the collection, disclosure, and/or use of SSNs in the private sector.
[Transcript]

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December 10th
11:00 - 12:30 (PM EST) Panel 2 - SSN Display and Use as an Internal Identifier

Private sector entities, ranging from health insurers to universities to financial institutions, often rely on SSNs as internal identifiers, whether as customer numbers, to link internal records within an entity, or on identification cards. This panel will discuss these uses as well as the challenges entities may face in moving to alternative identifiers.
[Transcript]

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December 10th
1:45 - 3:15 (PM EST) Panel 3 - SSN Use to Link Data Externally

Companies often use SSNs to exchange information with other companies or entities. Panelists will examine external linking in various contexts, including conducting employer background checks, linking accounts between financial institutions, identifying medical history, and processing insurance claims.
[Transcript]

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December 10th
3:30 - 5:00 (PM EST)  Panel 4: SSN Use for Authentication and Fraud Prevention

Many entities use the SSN for authentication and fraud prevention, both to verify identity at the outset of a relationship and to provide access to existing accounts. The panel will explore how those uses might, alternatively, both lead to and help prevent identity theft. The panel also will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the alternatives to using the SSN for these purposes.
[Transcript]

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December 11th
8:45 - 10:30 (AM EST) Panel 5 – Alternatives to SSN Restriction

To the extent that entities continue to use and maintain SSNs, what steps should be considered to minimize the value of SSNs for identity thieves? Would enhanced identity verification and authentication processes significantly reduce concerns about private sector uses of SSNs? How effective are the options, such as user defined limits and prohibitions (UDLAP) (fraud alerts, credit freezes, and real-time reporting of credit requests) that allow consumers more control over their credit report? 
[Transcript]

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December 11th
10:45 - 1:00 (PM EST) Panel 6 - Recommendations; Closing Remarks

Recognizing the central role of the SSN in both the commission of identity theft and fraud prevention, the President’s Identity Theft
Task Force recommended that the Task Force agencies develop a comprehensive record on private sector uses of SSNs and then make recommendations to the President as to whether specific steps should be taken with respect to private sector uses of SSNs. This panel will reflect on the issues raised throughout the workshop to consider possible recommendations the Task Force may make to the President in this regard. Audience input is strongly encouraged. This panel is followed by Closing Remarks by Joel Winston, Associate Director of the FTC's Division of Privacy and Identity Protection.
[Transcript]

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For Release: November 1-2, 2007
eHavioral Advertising: Tracking, Targeting, & Technology

November 1st
9:00 - 10:00 (AM EST) Overview of Behavioral Advertising

Welcoming Remarks: Deborah P. Majoras, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

This session will provide an introductory explanation of how online advertising works, including how information is collected from, and how ads are served to, a consumer’s computer.  This session will also preview the issues and perspectives for the Town Hall discussion.
[Transcript]

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November 1st
10:15 - 12:15 (PM EST) Behavioral Advertising Today:  Understanding the Business and Technology, and a Presentation on Consumer Survey Data

Remarks: Commissioner Jon Leibowitz.

In this session, industry representatives engaged in behavioral advertising and outside analysts will discuss current business models and respective roles in the market, highlighting technological and other changes in recent years. Part 2 of this session will present consumer survey findings related to consumer understanding of cookies, as well as what consumers care about with respect to data collection and use.
[Transcript]

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November 1st
1:45 - 2:45 (PM EST) Data Collection, Use, and Protection

Panelists in this session will discuss what kind of data is collected for behavioral advertising, how such data is used, who has access to such data, and whether and how such data is secured. 
[Transcript]

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November 1st
3:00 - 5:00 (PM EST)  Roundtable Discussion of Data Collection, Use, and Protection

This session is an interactive roundtable discussion about the issues raised in Session 4, with seven additional discussants representing a cross section of companies, academics, and consumer groups.
[Transcript]

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November2nd
9:00 - 11:00 (AM EST) Disclosures to Consumers

Welcoming Remarks: Joel Winston, Associate Director, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, Bureau of Consumer Protection,
Federal Trade Commission.

Participants in this session will discuss the disclosures that companies involved in online advertising make to consumers regarding the collection and use of their information; whether these disclosures are effective; and what tools consumers can use to control the use of their information. 
[Transcript]

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November 2nd
11:15 - 12:30 (PM EST) Behavioral Advertising Today:  Understanding the Business and Technology

This session will show the top five videos from the Berkman Center’s “Cookie Crumbles Contest.”  A panel of invited judges will discuss the videos and vote on the winner.  The audience will also vote to select the best video.
[Transcript]

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November 2nd
2:00 - 3:30 (PM EST) The Regulatory and Self-Regulatory Landscape

This roundtable session will examine the current state of both domestic and international regulatory and self-regulatory measures, including the status of the Network Advertising Initiative and other efforts at self-regulation. 
[Transcript]

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November2nd
3:45 - 5:15 (PM EST) Roundtable on the Future of Behavioral Advertising

This session will look at anticipated changes in the behavioral advertising space and whether and how behavioral advertising is being used across different technologies.  
[Transcript]

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For Release: October 10, 2007
Collecting Consumer Debts: Exploring changes in the debt collection industry and examining their impact on consumers and businesses

October 10th
9:00 - 10:30 (AM EST) Overview of Changes in and Affecting the Industry

Welcoming Remarks: Deborah P. Majoras, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

This session will provide a high-level look at major trends in and affecting the debt collection industry. Following two overview presentations, panelists will discuss the past, present, and future of debt collection.
[Transcript]

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October 10th
10:45 - 12:00 (PM EST) Debt Collection Today: Understanding the Business

This panel will examine the current business models and practices used by in-house collectors, contingency collection agencies and law firms, and debt buyers.
[Transcript]

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October 10th
1:15 - 2:30 (PM EST) Concerns About Debt Collection: Panel 1-Consumers' Perspective / Panel 2-Collector's Perspective

This first panel will provide a description of current debt collection practices that consumers believe raise substantial and growing concerns, and identify possible responses to these concerns. The second panel will describe the current restrictions on debt collection practices that debt collectors believe unduly limit their activities, and discuss potential responses to these issues.
[Transcript]

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October 10th
4:00 - 5:15 (PM EST)The Role of Creditors in Debt Collection

This session will examine issues surrounding creditors in the debt collection process, including the proper supervision of in-house and third-party collectors, the responsible selection of debt buyers, and the transmission of sufficient documentation to verify disputed debts.
[Transcript]

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October 11th
9:00 - 10:45 (AM EST) Locating the Correct Consumer and Determining the Correct Amount Owed

Welcoming Remarks: Lydia B. Parnes, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection

This panel will examine proper and improper methods of locating consumers for debt collection purposes (often referred to as "skiptracing"), as well as issues surrounding debt collectors' verification of debts that consumers have disputed.
[Transcript]

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October 11th
11:00 - 12:15 (PM EST) Credit Reporting and Debt Collection: Key Concerns

This session will address the interaction between debt collectors and the credit reporting system, concerns that this interaction raises, and possible responses to these concerns.
[Transcript]

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October 11th
1:15 - 2:30 (PM EST) Debt Collection Litigation: Current Issues

This panel will examine collection litigation practices that have caused concern among consumers and potential responses to these concerns.
[Transcript]

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October 11th
2:45 - 4:00 (PM EST) Pivotal Issues and Proposed Solutions: Next Steps

Closing Remarks: Peggy L. Twohig, Associate Director, Division of Financial Practices

This panel will identify the main issues and possible responses that arose during prior panels. The group also will propose and debate recommended changes in policy and law, including recommendations for amending the FDCPA.
[Transcript]

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For Release: July 18, 2007
Weighing In: A Check-up on Marketing, Self Regulation, and Childhood Obesity

July 18th
9:00 - 10:30 (AM EST) Self-Regulatory Initiatives

Introduction by Mary K. Engle, Advertising Practices, Federal Trade Commision; and Keynote Remarks by Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras.

These presentations will showcase self-regulatory initiatives that aim to create positive changes in how food is marketed and made available to children.

[Transcript]

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July 18th
10:45 - 12:00 (PM EST) Food Company Initiatives

These presentations will showcase two food companies’ efforts to address childhood obesity.
[Transcript]

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July 18th
1:00 - 2:50 (PM EST) Remarks by Commissioner Jon Leibowitz, Federal Trade Commission
Presentations: Public Education and, New Research 0n Food Marketing to Children

The first presentation will provide an overview of recent public outreach efforts addressing childhood obesity. The second presentation will review recent studies examining the marketing of food products to children on television.
[Transcript]

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July 18th
3:00 - 5:00 (PM EST) Scoring the Progress Since Summer 2005

A panel of stakeholders from consumer groups, industry, and other key experts will present brief remarks addressing progress that has been achieved since 2005 and additional steps that should be taken. A panel discussion will follow.
[Transcript]

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For Release: July 11, 2007
FTC Spam Summit: The Next Generation of Threats and Solutions

July 11th
9:00 - 10:45 (AM EST) Defining the Problem

Introduction and Opening Remarks-Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras.

Earlier findings indicated that most spam was fraudulent, deceptive, and offensive. How has the nature of spam shifted? Is spam now being used for malicious and criminal purposes? Is this spam reaching consumers’ inboxes or being filtered by Internet service providers’ filtering software?
[Transcript]

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July 11th
11:00 - 12:30 (PM EST) Evolving Methods for Sending Spam and Malware

To what extent, if any, have email address harvesting, dictionary attacks, and open proxies been replaced by botnets, zombies, and spam that uses images instead of text as the primary methods of spam distribution?
[Transcript]

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July 11th
1:45 - 3:15 (PM EST) Uncovering the Malware Economy

What are the financial incentives for malicious spammers? What is the cost along the email chain to consumers, businesses, internet service providers, and networks?
[Transcript]

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July 11th
3:30 - 5:00 (PM EST) Emerging Threats

[Transcript]

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July 12th
9:15 - 10:45 (AM EST) Deterring Malicious Spammers and Cybercriminals

What are the investigatory challenges faced by law enforcement as spammers mask their identities and use obfuscatory techniques? What are effective countermeasures?
[Transcript]

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July 12th
11:00 - 12:30 (PM EST) Keeping it Out of the Inbox

During the FTC’s 2004 E-mail Authentication Summit, co-hosted with the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, the FTC initiated efforts to spur the development and wide- scale adoption of domain level e-mail authentication. Where does the implementation of e-mail authentication stand? What are other key spam-reducing tools?
[Transcript]

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July 12th
1:30 - 2:30 (PM EST) Putting Consumers Back in Control

How can we empower consumers and businesses in the fight against spam and malware?
[Transcript]

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July 12th
2:45 - 5:30 (PM EST) Identifying Best Practices for Businesses and Developing a Plan for Action

What can businesses do to distinguish themselves from malicious spammers?
[Transcript]

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For Release: May 8, 2007
The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division final session of joint public hearings designed to examine the implications of single-firm conduct under the antitrust laws.

May 8th
9 :00 - 10:15 (AM EST) Session 1

[Transcript]

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May 8th
10 :30 - 11:00 (AM EST) Session 2

[Transcript]

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May 8th
11 :10 - 1:00 (PM EST) Session 3

[Transcript]

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For Release: April 23, 2007
Proof Positive: New Directions in ID Authentication Workshop

April 23rd
8:30 - 11:00 (AM EST) Welcome by Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras and first panels

The first panel will provide an overview of the considerations that should be taken into account in developing better identification and authentication systems, such as the importance of formulating clear objectives and principles, establishing trust among stakeholders, and identifying the roles of the public sector, private sector, and consumers. The presenters have significant experience advising governments around the world on these issues and will draw upon these experiences in providing a context for the panel discussions throughout the workshop. The second panel will provide an overview of the considerations that should be taken into account in developing better identification and authentication systems, such as the importance of formulating clear objectives and principles, establishing trust among stakeholders, and identifying the roles of the public sector, private sector, and consumers. The presenters have significant experience advising governments around the world on these issues and will draw upon these experiences in providing a context for the panel discussions throughout the workshop.
[Transcript]

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April 23rd
11:15 - 12:45 (AM EST) Establishing Identity

This panel will survey current identification initiatives including Real ID (driver’s licenses), HSPD-12 (federal employee IDs), the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, e-passport, Evve (birth certificates), and the banking industry’s Customer Identification Program. The panel will explore the role of these initiatives in developing secure credentials that can reduce identity theft, as well as the interoperability of these initiatives, and privacy and consumer acceptance concerns.
[Transcript]

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April 23rd
2:00 - 3:30 (PM EST) Authentication Technologies

This panel will examine the strengths and limitations of biometrics, smartcards, asymmetric encryption technology (also known as public key infrastructure or PKI), radio frequency identification(RFID), knowledge-based authentication (KBA), and behavior pattern analysis for reducing identity theft.
[Transcript]

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April 23rd
3 :45 - 5:15 (PM EST) Implementing Authentication Technologies

The panel will discuss challenges and risks in implementing authentication technologies as well as consumer usability and privacy concerns. Panelists will address the role of multi-factor authentication and other approaches to improve measures currently in use.
[Transcript]

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April 24th
8:30 - 10:15 (AM EST) New Applications and Upcoming Challenges in Authentication

This panel will explore some of the challenges that new or converging technologies pose for current authentication techniques. The panel will look at VOIP and mobile commerce systems, the security risks these technologies pose as well as their potential to address issues of consumer usability and information control.
[Transcript]

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April 24th
10 :30 - 12:15 (AM EST) Next Steps: Where do we go from here?

This panel will bring together the issues discussed throughout the workshop to address how we move to stronger systems of authentication. The purpose of the panel is to elicit practical ideas or solutions and discuss the best role for the public sector, the private sector, and consumers in realizing these ideas or solutions.
[Transcript]

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For Release: April 10, 2007
Energy Markets in the 21st Century: Competition Policy in Perspective Workshop

April 10th
8:30 - 9:15 (Eastern) Opening Remarks/ Keynote Address

Welcoming Remarks are delivered by John H. Seesel, Associate General Counsel for Energy, FTC. FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras delivers Opening Remarks. The Honorable Samual W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy, United States Department of Energy, delivers the Keynote Address.
[Transcript]

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April 10th
9:30 - 11:30 (Eastern) Lessons From History: How Did the United States Deal with the Energy Crises of the 1970s? What Did We Learn?

Presentations discussing the causes and consequences of energy crises and the lessons learned. Focus on energy crises of the 1970's, how government and private sector responded, and what caused lower energy prices in succeeding decades.
[Transcript]

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April 10th
12:15 - 2:00 (Eastern) How Do Energy Markets Work within the Framework of Government Policy Choices?

A discussion of the ways in which federal and state legislation and regulation affect various energy markets. Discussion includes environmental requirements, drilling restrictions, price controls, and state laws.
[Transcript]

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April 10th
2 :15 - 3:30 (Eastern) The Electric Power Industry: Studies of Restructuring Experiences and Getting Wholesale Right

Discussion regarding the effects of changes in policies and regulations on efficiency, investment, ownership, and reliability.
[Transcript]

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April 10th
3:40 - 4:25 (Eastern) The Electric Power Industry: Part 2 (continued)

A discussion comparing wholesale markets with and without Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations.
[Transcript]

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April 10th
4 :35 - 6:00 (Eastern) The Electric Power Industry: The Rest of the Picture

Panel discussion regarding retail markets, benefits of restructuring, and climate change.
[Transcript]

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April 11th
9:00 - 10:45 (Eastern) The Transportation Sector: Past, Present, and Future

Presentations regarding the outlook for the transportation sector, including fuel efficiency, alternative fuel policies, and opportunities to reduce vehicle use.
[Transcript]

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April 11th
11:00 - 12:45 (Eastern) New Frontiers of Energy: Expected Technological Changes and the Implications for Consumers

Discussion of new ways to extract energy, emerging sources of energy supply, new technological directions, and demand-side innovations.
[Transcript]

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April 11th
1:45 - 3:30 (Eastern) Savvy Consumers in the Energy Marketplace: Economic Issues

Panel discussion of economic issues affecting energy consumers, including what drives the prices of energy products and how consumers respond to price signals.
[Transcript]

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April 11th
3:45 - 5:30 (Eastern) Savvy Consumers in the Energy Marketplace: Consumers Helping Themselves

Presentations regarding consumer behavior, actions that consumers can take to protect themselves in the energy marketplace, and the government's role in informing and protecting consumers.
[Transcript]

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April 12th
9:00 - 10:30 (Eastern) The Current Implications of the World Energy Situation for United States Energy Supplies

Presentations discussing U.S. reliance on imported energy, the role of OPEC, and other international issues affecting U.S. energy supply.
[Transcript]

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April 12th
10:45 - 1:00 (Eastern) Are We More Vulnerable Today to Energy Supply and Demand Shocks, and Concluding Remarks from Michael A. Salinger, Director, Bureau of Economics, FTC

Discussion regarding the long global supply line for crude oil and liquefied natural gas, the role of crude oil and refined product inventories, the integrity of the electric power system, and related issues.
[Transcript]

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For Release: February 13, 2007
Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy Workshop

February 13th
9:00 - 9:15 Opening Remarks

FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras Delivers Opening Remarks.
[Transcript]

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February 13th
9:15 - 10:45 Technical Background Panel

This panel provides technical background to help inform subsequent discussions and cover topics such as: How data is routed over the Internet; the various segments of internet access, from the end user to the content provider; how data discrimination can occur, be detected, and be countered by users and content and applications providers; and congestion and potential capacity limitations on the internet.
[Transcript]

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February 13th
11:00 - 12:30 What Is The Debate Over "Network Neutrality" About?

This panel frames the debate over network neutrality and addresses topics such as: The regulatory changes that sparked this debate; concerns raised by proponents of net neutrality; objections raised by net neutrality opponents; and the potential harm to consumers and competition, with or without broadband connectivity regulation.
[Transcript]

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February 13th
1:30 - 1:45 Remarks By Commissioner Leibowitz

FTC Commissioner Leibowitz Delivers Remarks.
[Transcript]

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February 13th
1:45 - 3:30 Discrimination, Blockage, and Vertical Integration Panel

This panel addresses topics such as: The incentives of ISPs to discriminate against or block unaffiliated content or applications; the risks and benefits from such discrimination: and the risks and benefits of vertical integration by ISPs into content and applications.
[Transcript]

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February 13th
3:45 - 5:15 Quality of Service, Tiering, and Charging Fees for Prioritized Delivery

This panel addresses issues relating to data prioritization by network operators, including quality-of-service requirements, tiering, and charging fees for prioritized delivery. Among the topics for this panel are: Current pricing and data exchange arrangements among the relevant parties; the likely effect on competition in the markets for content/applications and broadband access; the likely effect on innovation at the edges of the Internet and at the network core; the two-sided nature of the broadband market; network capacity constraints and the need for prioritization; and what the end result of prioritization might be.
[Transcript]

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February 14th
11:00 - 12:45 Current and Future State of Broadband Competition Panel

This panel addresses the current and future state of competition in the market for broadband Internet access. Among the topics discussed are: Is this market really a duopoly, as some maintain? To what extent do other platforms, such as wireless, satellite, or power lines, compete with cable modem and DSL service? What has happened to prices and speeds over the past few years, and what will happen to them going forward? Is robust broadband competition sufficient to address the potential harms envisioned by proponents of broadband connectivity regulation?
[Transcript]

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February 14th
1:00 - 2:15 Consumer Protection Issues Panel

This panel addresses consumer protection issues relevant to the network neutrality debate, such as: The disclosure of material terms in Internet access agreements; what terms are or should be material?; the ability of consumers and enforcers to verify compliance with such terms; and privacy issues raised by developing data packet inspection technologies.
[Transcript]

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February 14th
2:30 - 4:00 What Framework Best Promotes Competition and Consumer Welfare/Industry Reviews Panel

This session debates what framework best promotes competition and consumer welfare in the area of broadband Internet access. The first panel explores industry views on this subject, while the second panel explores academic and policy analyst views. Among the topics discussed are the following: Is existing agency oversight by the FTC, FCC, and others sufficient to address the concerns raised by net neutrality proponents? In other words, is enforcement of existing antitrust, consumer protection, and communications laws sufficient? If broadband connectivity regulation is the best option, what form should it take? Something akin to the FTC's broadband policy statement and related conditions imposed on recent telephone mergers? To whom would it apply: ISPs, Internet backbone operators, both? How and by whom would it be enforced? If not broadband connectivity regulation, what will best promote competition and consumer welfare?
[Transcript]

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February 14th
4:00 - 5:30 What Framework Best Promotes Competition and Consumer Welfare/Academic and Policy Panel

This session debates what framework best promotes competition and consumer welfare in the area of broadband Internet access. The first panel explores industry views on this subject, while the second panel explores academic and policy analyst views. Among the topics discussed are the following: Is existing agency oversight by the FTC, FCC, and others sufficient to address the concerns raised by net neutrality proponents? In other words, is enforcement of existing antitrust, consumer protection, and communications laws sufficient? If broadband connectivity regulation is the best option, what form should it take? Something akin to the FTC's broadband policy statement and related conditions imposed on recent telephone mergers? To whom would it apply: ISPs, Internet backbone operators, both? How and by whom would it be enforced? If not broadband connectivity regulation, what will best promote competition and consumer welfare? [Transcript]

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