Hearings on FTC Policy in Relation to the Changing Nature of Competition

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Hearings on FTC Policy in Relation to the Changing Nature of

Competition

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of extension of time for comment on public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'')

announces that the time has been extended for submitting written

comments for the hearings record on whether there have been broad-based

changes in the contemporary competitive environment that require any

adjustments in antitrust and consumer protection enforcement in order

to keep pace with those changes. The period for submitting written

comments is extended to Friday, January 26, 1995.

The Commission hearings address whether any accommodations in the

law or enforcement policy are warranted in the following areas in light

of any developments in global competition and innovation: (1) The

measurements of market power; (2) the ability of firms to enter new

markets; (3) treatment of efficiencies in merger and nonmerger areas;

(4) treatment of efficiencies in innovation, particularly those

resulting from collaboration; (5) failing firms or distressed

industries; (6) the impact of antitrust and consumer protection law on

small businesses; (7) the relationship of antitrust to intellectual

property law; (8) foreclosure, access and efficiency issues related to

networks and standards; (9) strategic conduct in the context of

innovation-based competition; (10) cross-border consumer protection

issues (such as standard setting, product labeling harmonization, and/

or technology-related scams); and (11) agency institutional processes

(such as quality of evidence and burden of proof; safe harbors;

evidence gathering). The hearings are being transcribed and placed on

the public record.

DATES: The hearings began on October 12, 1995. The final hearing date

was December 13, 1995. Any interested person may submit written

comments responsive to any of the topics addressed; such comments must

be submitted for the record by January 26, 1995.

ADDRESSES: To facilitate efficient review of public comments, all

comments should be submitted, if possible, in electronic and written

form. Electronic submissions should be on either a 5 and \1/4\ or 3 and

\1/2\ inch computer disk, with a label on the disk stating the name of

the commenter and the name of and version of the word processing

program used to create the document. (Programs based on DOS are

acceptable. Files from other operating systems should be submitted in

ASCII text format.) Submissions should be captioned ``Comments on

Hearings on Global Competition and Innovation'' and addressed to Donald

S. Clark, Office of the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Sixth

Street and

[[Page 66803]]

Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Susan DeSanti or Debra A. Valentine, Policy Planning, Federal Trade

Commission, Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 503, Washington,

D.C. 20580; or by telephone (202) 326-2167 or (202) 326-2390.

Electronic Mail Address: susan.desanti @ftc.gov, or debra.valentine

@fte.gov. A detailed agenda for the hearings is available on the FTC

Home Page (http://www.fte.gov), through various publications. and

through Sula Miller at (202) 326-3190.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The hearings are to examine consumer

protection and antitrust law enforcement in light of the above issues.

The hearings record is expected to provide a basis for assessing what,

if any, adjustments may be desirable. After the hearings, a report will

be issued, which may indicate changes that may be adopted or

recommended, areas for further study, or coordinated action by the

Commission and the Department of Justice. The Commission has general

authority under the FTC Act to interpret its substantive laws through

guidelines, advisory opinions, and policy statements

By direction of the Commission.

Donald S. Clark,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 95-31207 Filed 12-22-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6750-01-M