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Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission PROTECTING AMERICA'S CONSUMERS

Enforcement

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The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices. The Commission also enforces federal antitrust laws that prohibit anticompetitive mergers and other business practices that could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation.

Whether combating telemarketing fraud, Internet scams or price-fixing schemes, the FTC’s mission is to protect consumers and promote competition.

The FTC administers a wide variety of laws and regulations, including the Federal Trade Commission Act, Telemarketing Sales Rule, Identity Theft Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Clayton Act. In total, the Commission has enforcement or administrative responsibilities under more than 70 laws.

Investigation Resources

Steps in the Review Process Voluntary Submissions Model Second Request Second Request Appeals Process Best Practices for Merger Investigations Model Timing Agreement BC Production Guide Best Practices on Data Submissions Protocol for Coordination in Merger Investigations with State Attorneys General International Waivers of Confidentiality

Search Cases

Search the Legal Library Cases and Proceedings to find a specific antitrust case. To see all antitrust cases, select “Competition” in the mission field. To see a specific type of competition case, select from the list of available topics in the competition topics field.

Search Cases and Proceedings

Remedies

Negotiating Merger Remedies Respondents Guide Potential Buyers Guide Remedy Study (2017) and Divestiture Study (1999) Policy Statement Regarding Duration of Orders Policy Statement Concerning Prior Approval

Guidance & Workshops

Merger Guidelines (2023) Horizontal Merger Guidelines (rev. 8/10) Vertical Merger Guidelines (2020) (Archived) Commentary on the Horizontal Merger Guidelines (2006) HMG Review Project (2010) Unilateral Effects Analysis and Litigation Workshop (2008) FTC/DOJ Merger Enforcement Workshop (2004) Merger Best Practices Workshop (2002) 1992 Horizontal Merger Guidelines (With April 8, 1997 revisions to Section 4 on Efficiencies)

Enforcement

Competition Statutes Annual Enforcement Reports Competition Enforcement Stats Part 3 Rules Policy Statement on Administrative Merger Litigation