[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66802-66803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31207]



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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