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How does the FTC deal with businesses breaking the law?

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DigitalChase

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

One of my teachers in college said the other day that the FTC send business owners warnings or cease and desist letter before filing lawsuits. I found this a bit odd and wanted to get an opinion from you guys about it.

A lot of the research I've done seems to indicate that when they are cracking down on stuff online such as unethical marketers, spammers, false advertisers, etc. that they find out who the people are and try to pursue them in court. Now I know how the news is and that they mainly just report the stuff people will find interesting - which is lawsuits and arrests. But I never see them actually mentioning that the FTC warned these people or game them an option to stop before trying to take them to court.

Here are some of the articles I'm referring to:
http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/196770431.html
http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/consumer/a/spamarrests.htm
http://www.spamhaus.org/news/article/152/

So, in your experience/research, does the FTC send warnings and give you the option to stop whatever you're doing wrong before pursuing it legally?
 


sandyclaus

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

One of my teachers in college said the other day that the FTC send business owners warnings or cease and desist letter before filing lawsuits. I found this a bit odd and wanted to get an opinion from you guys about it.

A lot of the research I've done seems to indicate that when they are cracking down on stuff online such as unethical marketers, spammers, false advertisers, etc. that they find out who the people are and try to pursue them in court. Now I know how the news is and that they mainly just report the stuff people will find interesting - which is lawsuits and arrests. But I never see them actually mentioning that the FTC warned these people or game them an option to stop before trying to take them to court.

Here are some of the articles I'm referring to:
http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/196770431.html
http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/consumer/a/spamarrests.htm
http://www.spamhaus.org/news/article/152/

So, in your experience/research, does the FTC send warnings and give you the option to stop whatever you're doing wrong before pursuing it legally?
Still trying to figure out a legal way around the CAN-SPAM Act, are we?

I suggest that you stop trying to figure out how to skirt the law, and instead try to find a way to LEGALLY market whatever product you're trying to sell.
 

swalsh411

Senior Member
This is just about the last OP that I'm going to lift a finger to help. I get enough junk emails thankyouverymuch.
 

OHRoadwarrior

Senior Member
As a government agency, they have limited discretion at all levels, similar to a police officer. When and where they may choose to exercise whatever discretion they have, is up to them.
 

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