Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, CONSUMER PROTECTION NEWS: FTC requests public comment on Hobby Protection Rules, (Jul 8, 2014)

By Greg Hammond, J.D.

The FTC announced that it is seeking public comment on its Hobby Protection Rules, pursuant to the Regulatory Review Program. The Hobby Protection Act, which was signed into law in November 1973, mandates that manufacturers and importers of "imitation political items" mark them with the calendar year the items were manufactured. In addition, manufacturers and importers of numismatic items, such as money, must mark these items with the word "copy."

In furtherance of its Regulatory Review Program, which assists the Commission in determining what rules and guides should be modified or rescinded, the FTC has set forth a number of questions for public comment, according to the Commission’s notice: (1) Is there a continuing need for the Hobby Protection Rules? (2) What benefits have the rules provided to consumers and businesses and what evidence supports those benefits? (3) What changes, if any, should the FTC make to the rules to increase benefits to consumers and businesses? (4) What impact have the rules had on the flow of truthful and/or deceptive information to consumers? (5) What significant costs, if any, have the rules imposed on consumers and businesses, and what modifications should be made to reduce those costs? (6) What evidence is available regarding the extent of industry compliance with the rules and does the evidence suggest the rules should be modified? (7) Are any of the requirements of the rules no longer needed? (8) What potentially unfair or deceptive practices concerning imitation political items and numismatic items are not covered by the rules? (9) What modifications, if any, should be made to account for changes in technology or economic conditions? (10) Do the rules conflict or overlap with other federal, state, or local laws or regulations? (11) Are there any international laws or regulations covered by the rules that the Commission should consider when reviewing the rules?

The Commission encourages the public to submit comments online. Comments must be received by September 22, 2014.

News: ConsumerProtection FederalTradeCommissionNews