95-16257. Franchise Rule Review Public Workshop Conference  

  • [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]
    
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
    
    16 CFR Part 436
    
    
    Franchise Rule Review Public Workshop Conference
    
    Agency: Federal Trade Commission.
    
    Action: Public workshop conference
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    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
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/03/1995
Department:
Federal Trade Commission
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Public workshop conference
Document Number:
95-16257
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.
Pages:
34485-34486 (2 pages)
PDF File:
95-16257.pdf
CFR: (1)
16 CFR 436