[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 127 (Monday, July 3, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34485-34486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16257]



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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 436


Franchise Rule Review Public Workshop Conference

Agency: Federal Trade Commission.

Action: Public workshop conference

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Summary: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') will 
hold a public workshop conference in connection with the regulatory 
review of the Commission's Trade Regulation Rule on Disclosure 
Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning Franchising and Business 
Opportunity Ventures (``the Francise Rule'' or ``the Rule'').

Dates: The public workshop conference will be held at the Crown 
Sterling Suites, 7901 34th Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55425, 
on September 12 through 14, 1995, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

Addresses: Notification of interest in participating in the public 
workshop conference should be submitted in writing on or before August 
11, 1995, to Myra Howard, Division of Marketing Practices, Federal 
Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

For Further Information Contact: Steven Toporoff, (202) 326-3135, or 
Myra Howard, (202) 326-2047, Division of Marketing Practices, Bureau of 
Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington DC 20580.

Supplementary Information: On April 7, 1995, the Commission published a 
request for public comment on the Franchise Rule. 60 FR 17656 (April 7, 
1995). As part of its systematic review of Commission regulations and 
guides, the Commission requested comments about the overall costs and 
benefits of the Franchise Rule and its overall regulatory and economic 
impact. The Commission also requested comment on whether the Rule 
should be modified so as to: (1) Replace the current Rule disclosure 
requirements with those set forth in the revised Uniform Franchise 
Offering Circular Guidelines, approved by the Commission on December 
30, 1993; (2) modify the scope of disclosure requirements for business 
opportunity ventures; (3) clarify the applicability of the Rule to 
trade show promoters; and (4) require the disclosure of earnings 
information. Written comments will be accepted on or before August 11, 
1995. In its request for comment on the Franchise Rule, the Commission 
also stated that the FTC staff would conduct a Public Workshop 
Conference to discuss the written comments received during the rule 
review.
    The Public Workshop Conference will afford Commission staff and 
interested parties an opportunity to discuss openly issues raised 
during the rule review, and, in particular, to examine publicly any 
areas of significant controversy or divergent opinions that are raised 
in the written comments. Commission staff will consider the views and 
suggestions made during the conference, in conjunction with the written 
comments, in formulating its final recommendation to the Commission 
concerning the Franchise Rule.
    The Commission staff will select a limited number of parties to 
represent the significant interests affected by the Franchise Rule. 
These parties will participate in an open discussion of the issues. It 
is contemplated that the selected parties might ask and answer 
questions based on their respective comments.
    In addition, the conference will be open to the general public. 
Members of the general public who attend the conference may have an 
opportunity to make a brief oral statement presenting their views on 
issues raised in the rule review process. Oral statements of views by 
members of the general public will be limited to a few minutes. The 
time allotted for these statements will be determined on the basis of 
the time available and the number of persons who wish to make 
statements. The discussion will be transcribed and placed on the public 
record. In addition, written submissions of views, or any other written 
or visual materials, will be accepted during the conference and will be 
made part of the public record.
    To the extent possible, Commission staff will select parties to 
represent the following affected interests: Franchisors; franchisees; 
business opportunity promoters; business opportunity purchasers; 
franchise and business opportunity trade shows organizers; franchise 
and business opportunity brokers; franchise consultants; economists and 
academicians; Federal, State and local law enforcement and regulatory 
authorities; and any other interests that Commission staff may identify 
and deem appropriate for representation.
    Parties representing the above-referenced interests will be 
selected on the basis of the following criteria:
    1. The party submits a comment during the comment period ending on 
August 11, 1995.
    2. The party notifies Commission staff in writing of its interest 
and, if required, authorization to represent an affected interest, on 
or before August 11, 1995.

[[Page 34486]]

    3. The party's participation would promote a balance of interests 
being represented at the conference.
    4. The party's participation would promote the consideration and 
discussion of a variety of issues raised during the rule review 
process.
    5. The party has experience or expertise in activities affected by 
the Franchise Rule.
    6. The party adequately reflects the views of the affected 
interest(s).
    7. The number of parties selected will not be so large as to 
inhibit effective discussion among them.
    The conference will be facilitated by a Commission staff member. It 
will be held over the course of three consecutive days, September 12-
14, 1995, at the Crown Sterling Suites, 7901 34th Avenue South, 
Bloomington, Minnesota. Parties interested in representing an affected 
interest at the conference must notify Commission staff in writing on 
or before August 11, 1995. Each notice of interest in participating at 
the conference should contain a brief statement making clear which 
affected interest the requestor seeks to represent. Prior to the 
conference, parties selected to represent an affected interest will be 
provided with copies of the comments submitted in response to the 
request for comments.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 436

    Advertising, Business and industry, Franchising, Trade practices

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-16257 Filed 6-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M