The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expressed strong support for trucker protections against predatory towing fees in a comment filed on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule banning junk fees. FMCSA’s comment outlines concerns with predatory towing junk fee practices that significantly increase costs for commercial motor vehicle owners […]
FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Employee Noncompete Clauses
The Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule that would ban employers from imposing noncompetes on their workers, a practice that the Commission states is widespread and often exploitative that suppresses wages, hampers innovation, and blocks entrepreneurs from starting new businesses. By stopping this practice, the agency estimates that the new proposed rule could increase […]
Federal Trade Commission Takes Action Against Harley-Davidson for Illegally Restricting Right to Repair
In first action since agency released a policy statement on unlawful repair restrictions last year, FTC orders require the motorcycle manufacturer to fix warranties and compete fairly with independent repairers. The Federal Trade Commission announced yesterday that is taking action against motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC and Westinghouse outdoor generator maker MWE Investments, […]
FTC Targets False Claims by For-Profit Colleges Including Those Teaching Collision Repair
Commission resurrects legal tool to trigger steep penalties against for-profit colleges. The Federal Trade Commission put 70 for-profit higher education institutions on notice that the agency is cracking down on any false promises they make about their graduates’ job and earnings prospects and other outcomes and will hit violators with significant financial penalties. The FTC […]
U.S. Senators Call for FTC Investigation Into Tesla’s Driving Automation Systems Advertising
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, voiced serious concerns about Tesla’s misleading advertising and marketing of its Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) features to consumers, and called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to launch an investigation and take enforcement action. The […]
FTC to Ramp Up Law Enforcement Against Illegal Manufacturer Repair Restrictions
Commission unanimously adopts policy statement aimed at restoring Right to Repair for small businesses, workers, consumers, and government entities. The Federal Trade Commission yesterday unanimously voted to ramp up law enforcement against repair restrictions that prevent small businesses, workers, consumers, and even government entities from fixing their own products. The policy statement adopted today is […]
ASA Sends Letter to FTC in Response to Nixing the Fix Report
In advance of Wednesday FTC open meeting, the association supports a policy statement to address automotive repair concerns in May report. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) provided comments to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in advance of an open meeting on July 21 that will include a policy statement covering concerns raised in its […]
Federal Trade Commission Plans Vote on Right to Repair Policy Statement at July 21 Meeting
Commission to consider issuing statement on manufacturer repair restrictions based upon its Nixing the Fix report and Hart-Scott-Rodino prior notice and approval of merger process. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan announced that an open meeting of the Commission will be held virtually on Wednesday, July 21. As part of the meeting, the FTC will […]
Aftermarket Groups Praise FTC Nixing the Fix Report
The Auto Care Association, along with six other aftermarket trade groups, sent a letter to the new chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on June 30 expressing appreciation to the FTC for findings and conclusions of the recently released report entitled “Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions.” The report […]
FTC Report to Congress Examines Anti-Competitive Repair Restrictions
Report recommends ways to expand consumers’ repair options, including more enforcement, and use of voluntary agreements between manufacturers and independent repairers. In a new report to Congress, the Federal Trade Commission identifies numerous types of repair restrictions across industries such as mobile phones and automobiles. Concerns raised in the report and by proponents of an […]